A husband and wife were among seven people arrested in a series of drug raids carried out by Penang police this month, resulting in the seizure of narcotics estimated to be worth more than RM3.2 million.
Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim said the couple were among four suspects detained during an operation in Tanjung Tokong between August 15 and 16.
The four suspects, comprising three local men and a local woman aged between 23 and 35, were allegedly found with a substantial quantity of various drugs.
Police seized 38.3kg of cannabis powder, 11.47kg of cannabis flower, 4,004 Erimin 5 pills, 14kg of methamphetamine, 5kg of ketamine and 16kg of ecstasy pills. The drugs were estimated to be worth more than RM1.17 million.
Dennis said the four suspects were remanded for 13 days from August 16 to 28 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In a separate operation in Butterworth on August 15, police arrested a 23-year-old local man at about 6pm and seized approximately 3kg of MDMA powder valued at more than RM450,000.
The suspect was initially remanded for five days before being released on bail on the deputy public prosecutor’s instructions, pending the results of chemical analysis.
Police subsequently detained a 46-year-old local man in Butterworth at around 10pm on August 19. Officers recovered approximately 1.3kg of MDMA powder, estimated to be worth more than RM10,000.
The suspect was remanded for six days from August 20 to 25.
Another raid was conducted in Bukit Mertajam at about 10.50pm on August 22, where police arrested a 28-year-old local man.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 8.4kg of MDMA powder, 1,755 ecstasy pills, 1,000 Erimin 5 pills, 0.63kg of ketamine and nine cartridges containing liquid methamphetamine. The total value was estimated at more than RM1.38 million.
The suspect was remanded for seven days from August 23 to 29 under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Police intelligence indicated that all seven suspects were believed to have been actively involved in drug trafficking activities across Penang since May.
Urine screening also found four suspects tested positive for morphine, amphetamine and methamphetamine, while checks revealed that five of the suspects had previous criminal or drug-related records.
Authorities also seized other items with an estimated value of RM89,000 under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.
Dennis said the series of arrests reflected continuous intelligence gathering by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN), supported by information from members of the public.
He stressed that the Royal Malaysia Police would continue taking firm action against individuals involved in drug trafficking.
Members of the public with information on suspected drug trafficking activities can contact the JSJN hotline at 012-208 7222.
