Penang:Police in Penang have apprehended five individuals, including a couple, and confiscated drugs valued at RM3.44 million in three distinct operations conducted from September 21 to 27.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Police Chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng reported that the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) seized 8.83 kilograms of heroin, 15.06 kilograms of MDMA powder, five liters of liquid MDMA, 182 ecstasy pills, and 70 grams of ketamine during the raids.

The first raid took place at 3:30 p.m. on September 21, where a 47-year-old local man was arrested at Jalan Masjid Negeri. Information obtained from this arrest led police to a nearby parked car, which was being used to store drugs and processing equipment. This operation resulted in the seizure of 8.83 kilograms of heroin, 5.35 kilograms of caffeine powder, and heroin-processing tools, with a total value of RM443,518. The suspect reportedly acquired the drugs from a syndicate, repackaging them for sale.

The following evening, at approximately 8:50 p.m., authorities conducted two more raids around Jalan Tun Dr Awang and Sungai Nibong Kecil, detaining two local men and a foreign woman, aged between 27 and 42. This operation resulted in the confiscation of 3.26 kilograms of MDMA powder and five liters of liquid MDMA, valued at RM1.2 million. Investigations revealed that the couple worked in entertainment centers and sourced their MDMA from a distribution syndicate.

In the third operation on September 27, around 11:30 p.m., police from the Machang Bubuk Police Station arrested a 45-year-old local man at Jalan Seladang, Bukit Mertajam. They seized 11.8 kilograms of MDMA powder, 182 ecstasy pills, heroin, and 70 grams of ketamine from his vehicle, with a total seizure worth RM1.8 million.

Intelligence indicated that the five suspects had been engaged in drug trafficking in Penang since July, though the three syndicates involved were not connected. Preliminary drug tests on the suspects returned negative results, and it was noted that the first suspect had prior criminal and narcotics offenses.

Additionally, police seized six vehicles worth RM58,000 under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988. All suspects are currently remanded for seven days to assist with investigations, which are being conducted under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.