RM8.14 million drug seizure in Penang, six arrested

Penang police chief Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan said in the operation, four places were raided from 4.30am to 9.30am before the six, aged 28 to 59 were arrested.

"The first two men including the 35-year-old syndicate leader were arrested while in a car in Sungai Nibong area believed to be distributing drugs, as they had two kilogrammes of syabu with them.

"Police then arrested another man and seized drugs at a house in Sungai Nibong and following a raid on another house in Bayan Lepas, the fourth suspect was detained.

“After interrogations police were led to the drug storage site in a house in Balik Pulau where the syndicate leader’s wife and mother live,” he told a press conference here today.

Police seized 133.3 kg of syabu, 20.7 kg (ketamine) and 11.1 kg of heroin base, all worth RM8.14 million in the raids and this is the biggest drug haul for the Penang Police Contingent this year.

Sahabudin said the syndicate leader’s wife a Thai national, aged 28, was believed to have links with drug trafficking syndicates in the neighbouring country and the drugs were believed to be brought in overland via Sintok, Kedah before being delivered to Penang.

"The couple has three small children, they have been handed over to the Social Welfare Department as their 59-year-old grandmother also a syndicate member was arrested,” he said adding that all six are being remanded for seven days for investigations.