KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian authorities on Wednesday dismantled a drug processing and distribution syndicate and seized drugs worth 2.4 billion ringgit (about 590 million U.S. dollars).
The syndicate operated its own laboratory in Selangor state. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Hussein Omar Khan told a press briefing that five members were arrested during six raids at various locations.
"During the raids, we seized various types of drugs weighing an estimated 13.17 tonnes...as well as various machines and equipment believed to have been used to process drugs at the premises in the industrial area," he said.
Hussein said the syndicate, believed to have been active since February, used a modus operandi of obtaining drug supplies and processing equipment believed to have been smuggled into Malaysia from overseas.
He added that police believed the syndicate leader was an individual who was shot dead in a previous raid in Negeri Sembilan state. ■