May 22, 2026
World
World
MECCA, May 22 — More than one million Muslims are converging on Mecca for the haj pilgrimage, as regional tensions in the Middle East and a fragile ceasefire cast a shadow over the event.
ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 22 — Police have dismantled an illegal drug processing lab specialising in narcotic-laced vape cartridges, with seizures worth RM16.4 million made in three raids across Skudai and northern Johor Bahru recently.
The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted the raids on May 18, leading to the arrest of four men, including the syndicate’s mastermind and its chemist. The suspects, aged between 27 and 60, comprise two locals and two foreigners.
Acting Johor police chief Hoo Chuan Huat said the raids were carried out at premises in Taman Melawati and Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai, which were used as drug processing laboratories.
“A third raid at a house in Taman Mutiara Emas near Skudai led to the arrest of a local man believed to be the syndicate’s mastermind,” he told reporters at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters today.
Hoo said the fourth suspect was identified as the syndicate’s financier, while the remaining two acted as chemists responsible for processing chemicals into drugs, and the first suspect served as a runner.
He said authorities seized 94.76 litres of liquid methamphetamine and 14.61 kilogrammes of chemicals, with the drugs estimated to be worth RM16.40 million and capable of supplying about 120,649 addicts.
“The syndicate is believed to have been active since early January this year,” he said, adding that shoplots were used as laboratories to process vape cartridges before distribution to the local market.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
Hoo added that two suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while the others were negative. All four have been remanded for seven days from May 19 to 25, and two have prior criminal records.
Police also seized three Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a Honda Accord and a Volkswagen, along with RM49,400 in cash and S$9,770 (RM30,292). The total value of seizures is estimated at RM16.58 million, marking Johor’s biggest drug bust of the year.
