A 27-year-old Hong Kong national who envisioned earning RM5,000 a month in Kuala Lumpur found himself in handcuffs just a month after his employment began. The man, hired by a Malaysian drug syndicate to refine narcotics, was arrested in a police operation that uncovered a sophisticated drug lab disguised as a shophouse.

The Bukit Aman Narcotics Control Department, during a press conference on January 17, revealed details of the raid conducted two days earlier on Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur. Authorities seized drugs worth RM8 million and dismantled the operation, which had been supplying both local and foreign markets.

The first raid on January 15 led to the arrest of the Hong Kong national, who was caught carrying boxes containing 4.8 kg of cocaine and various drug-making tools. Acting on information provided by the suspect, police conducted additional raids at an industrial area and the mans residence in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.

From these locations, officers seized a staggering 104.9 kg of raw materials for drug production, along with 3.2 kg of additional substances at the suspects home. Over 200 barrels of drug-making raw materials were confiscated across three raids, with police estimating the seized drugs could cater to 192,000 addicts.

The Hong Kong national had rented the shophouse for RM2,500 in November 2023. By December, he had begun refining cocaine for distribution to both local and international markets. Investigations revealed the man entered Malaysia multiple times last year, most recently on January 3, using a Hong Kong passport. Surprisingly, he tested negative for drug use.

The suspect also holds a British passport and has been remanded for seven days until January 22. Police are investigating the case under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries severe penalties, including the death penalty, for drug-related offenses.

Source: China Press