KANGAR: Perlis Customs Department has busted two men after uncovering an illegal laboratory producing counterfeit cough syrup mixed with ketum at a house located at a padi field in Simpang Empat.
Its state director, Ismail Hashim, said acting on a tip-off from the public, the department enforcement team raided the house at 2.30pm raid on Monday.
"We received information on the suspicion of an illegal drugs processing lab operating in the rented house based on the smell of chemicals emanating from the premises.
"Following the tip-off, we raided the unnumbered house in Sungai Padang, Simpang Empat, located in a remote area surrounded by padi fields, about 200 metres away from the main road.
"Before the raid, we conducted a stakeout for about 30 minutes and spotted two men inside the house, one of whom is a Thai national," he said in a press conference at the Kuala Perlis Customs office today.
Ismail said the men, aged 28 and 54, were hiding in the kitchen when the raiding party entered the house.
Upon inspecting the house, the team found 8,100 bottles suspected to contain 100ml of cough syrup each and 1,000 litres of cough syrup that had yet to be packed.
"We also found a machine to process the cough syrup, packaging materials and diphenhydramine, a chemical used in producing cough syrup.
"We believe the cough syrup was being mixed with ketum juice and carbonated drinks to produce the 'cakoroi' drink, which creates strong intoxication effects.
"We believe the cough syrup produced at the premises was meant for both the local market and export to Thailand," he said.
He said the total items seized during the raid was estimated at RM371,463, and the suspects have been released on bail pending prosecution in court.
The case is being investigated under Section 9(2) of the Poison Act 1952.