Wednesday April 3, 2013
Police shut down meth lab with arrest of 11 foreigners
By M. KUMAR
[email protected]
Hard evidence: Comm Noor Rashid (left) showing the items seized from the busts at a press conference in Bukit Aman. Hard evidence: Comm Noor Rashid (left) showing the items seized from the busts at a press conference in Bukit Aman.
KUALA LUMPUR: Eleven foreigners have been nabbed and RM2.3mil worth of methamphetamine (syabu) seized in a coup that is believed to have dented the drug trade here.
The busts in three separate locations took place last week. Police have also shut down a major meth lab.
Federal Narcotics director Comm Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the biggest bust was on Sunday evening when a special team from Bukit Aman tracked down three Iranians to a condominium in Jalan Kuching.
“We found about 485gm of meth on them,” he said yesterday.
“Following the arrests, we managed to gather enough information to raid two other luxury condominiums in Sri Hartamas and Jalan Tun Razak.”
He said the condominium in Jalan Tun Razak had been turned into a drug lab.
“Along with 2.9kg of meth, we also found various chemicals like acetone, iodine and red phosphorous, which are precursors (raw ingredients) to make methamphetamine.”
Three more Iranians were arrested at the condominium.
Comm Noor Rashid said police arrested another Iranian at the Sri Hartamas condominium and seized 5.9kg of meth.
Police also seized drug-making instruments, four cars and RM201,771 in local and foreign currencies.
The seven Iranians, aged between 22 and 58, are believed to be part of an international syndicate which has been distributing drugs in the country for the past four months.
In another unrelated case on March 26, Comm Noor Rashid said a special team from Bukit Aman tracked down three Nigerians to Taman Perindustrian KIP, Sri Damansara.
“The three, in their 30s, were found to be in possession of 3kg of syabu hidden in a soap container,” he said.
Police also seized RM3,000 cash from the three men, he added.
The third case, which also occurred on Sunday, involved the arrest of a Pakistani at the KL International Airport after he arrived from Lahore at 3pm.
Comm Noor Rashid said the 31-year-old man was trying to smuggle in 1.06kg of syabu in the soles of his shoes.
