Penang: The remand of three foreign men suspected to be chemists for an international methamphetamine syndicate has been extended for another seven days following their arrest here, recently. Penang Police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail stated that the three suspects, aged between 32 and 38, were previously remanded for seven days, which ended today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, police have obtained a further seven-day remand extension until Jan 3 to assist investigations. Azizee mentioned that no new arrests had been made so far, but efforts to track down the syndicate's network were ongoing. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The media previously reported that police uncovered an illegal methamphetamine processing laboratory at a durian orchard along Jalan Teluk Bahang. This discovery followed the arrest of the three foreign men and the seizure of 1.2 tonnes of drugs worth RM38 million in raids conducted on Dec 20 and 21.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan noted that based on intelligence, a team from the Bukit Aman NCID raided a condominium unit along Jalan Gurdwara, George Town on Dec 20. During the raid, a 27-year-old local man attempted to flee and fell from the fifth floor, resulting in his death. The raid also led to the discovery of 26 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and various drug-packaging equipment.

Further raids were conducted at a business premises in Taman Windmill, Jalan Gurdwara, where police seized 474 kg of methamphetamine. The premises was believed to have been used for storing and packaging drugs before distribution. Subsequently, police uncovered a large-scale methamphetamine processing laboratory at a durian orchard about one kilometre from the main road, seizing 60 kg of methamphetamine powder, suspected methamphetamine crystal blocks (54 kg), liquid methamphetamine (574 kg), and various drug-processing equipment.