Penang: Police busted a syndicate involved in the processing and sale of the drug Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) after arresting two men, including the cartel’s chemist, along with RM1.7 million worth of MDMA during raids conducted here.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail reported that during two raids conducted from 9 pm yesterday until 8 am today, two men, aged 27 and 50, were arrested following intelligence gathered by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) over the past few weeks.
He stated that during the first raid at a car park in George Town, police detained a man and discovered five packets of drugs, believed to be MDMA, weighing 129 grammes (g). “After arresting the suspect, police raided a property in Jelutong and detained a 50-year-old man believed to be the chemist who processed drugs into MDMA for the syndicate before they were sold.”
In the Jelutong raid, police seized 146 multi-coloured plastic packets containing MDMA weighing 3,787 g, four bottles of MDMA (6,217 g), 100 Eramin 5 pills, ketamine (12.83 g), 75 ecstasy pills, and various equipment used to process MDMA. Azizee indicated that the syndicate is believed to have been processing and distributing MDMA since early September, with seized drugs valued at RM1.7 million, enough to supply up to 50,000 drug users.
The investigations revealed that the syndicate obtained drug supplies from networks, processed them, and distributed them to the local market, including entertainment outlets. “Urine tests found both unemployed men positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ketamine. They also have multiple past criminal and drug-related records,” he said.
Following the arrests, police seized a Proton X50 car worth RM82,000, bringing the total value of confiscated drugs and assets to RM1.782 million. He added that both men have been remanded for seven days until Oct 5 to assist in the investigations, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.