18 July 2013| last updated at 01:13AM
Drugs worth RM31m seized
Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim (second from right) and Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Shariff (centre) showing drugs and cash seized during a raid in Batu Pahat. Pic by Zulkarnain Ahmad Tajuddin
BATU PAHAT: Johor police busted a major drug-making laboratory and seized about RM31 million worth of drugs when they raided a house in Taman Flora Heights here on Tuesday night.
Six people, including a Chinese national, were arrested at the house. Police seized almost 1.2 tonnes of drugs, making it one of the biggest hauls in the country.
Federal Narcotics Department director Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the raid was a follow-up to another raid conducted in Muar last September, which saw the seizure of a large amount of drugs and the arrest of seven syndicate members.
"However, during the Muar raid, the syndicate's leader managed to escape and was later found to have shifted the operation to Batu Pahat.
"Besides the laboratory, we also found another two premises in the area used as storage for drugs."
Present were Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Shariff and Batu Pahat police chief Assistant Commissioner Din Ahmad.
The drugs seized in the raid included crystal syabu (51.29kg), liquid syabu (47.99kg), Ecstasy pills (22.4kg), Ecstasy powder (351.38kg), heroin No. 4 (6.322kg), heroin No. 3 (1.64kg), caffein (675kg) and 56,400 Eramin-5 pills.
"We also seized two firearms, a Colt Walther and a Smith & Wesson, and 217 bullets, as well as RM1.08 million in cash and seven vehicles.
"Various machines and chemicals used in the production of these drugs were also seized."
Police believed the syndicate also distributed the drugs to neighbouring countries, he said yesterday.
"The suspects, four men and two women aged between 24 and 52, have been remanded for seven days to assist in investigations. One of the suspects is the leader."
