Customs busts drug syndicate with RM2.17 million haul

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Zulkifli Yahya (second right) briefing reporters on the confiscated drugs and equipment during a press conference. — Bernama photo

Zulkifli Yahya (second right) briefing reporters on the confiscated drugs and equipment during a press conference. — Bernama photo

ALOR SETAR: The Customs Department seized drugs worth RM2.17 million in a raid on a house turned drug processing laboratory in Taman Sri Jaya, Ledang, Johor on June 17.

Its assistant director-general Datuk Zulkifli Yahya said the raid was made by a customs team from Kedah at 5.15am based on public information and after two days of surveillance.

After inspection, the customs officers found caffeine powder (28.382kg), heroin (4.309kg), methamphatamine (0.479kg) and ketamine (443 grammes).

“They also found 2,345 pills comprising 695 Ecstasy and 1,650 Erimin 5, and equipment to process drugs.

“The drugs were found in a living room and upstairs,” he told a press conference at Kedah Customs Headquarters here.

No arrests were made.

Zulkifli said the customs officers had to cut open a padlock and iron grill to get into the house which was used as a place to store and process drugs.

“We are also looking for the owner of the house in an effort to identify the suspects involved.

“This is one of the largest drug processing syndicates to be busted,” he added.

The case was being investigated under Section 39B of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and if convicted, the offenders could be sentenced to the mandatory death sentence. — Bernama