Penang cops bust 14 online scam call centres, arrest 141

A 28-year-old man from Miri, Sarawak, was apprehended at Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas on October 18, while allegedly smuggling 40 kilograms of cannabis buds worth RM3.2 million to London. Penang police chief, Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng, revealed that the man, who was acting as a 'drug mule,' claimed he was instructed to transport the drugs by someone else.

During the arrest, he was found to be in the airport's waiting area when his luggage was inspected, leading to the discovery of the drugs. The suspect admitted to receiving RM9,000 for the trip and tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine during an initial urine screening test. He also has two previous criminal records.

In a separate incident at an apartment in Jelutong, police apprehended three individuals, including a Chinese national woman, who were allegedly involved in drug processing and distribution. The operation, which took place on October 19, resulted in the seizure of various drugs with an estimated value of RM1.05 million. A 26-year-old local man was arrested first, found with a 1.3-gramme packet of ketamine.

Another 40-year-old Chinese national woman was apprehended on the 10th floor of the apartment, believed to be responsible for repackaging MDMA, which was then sold to customers arriving at the apartment. They also seized seven kilogrammes of methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) powder, Erimin-5 pills, ketamine, and 0.015 litre of liquid methamphetamine.

The woman and another local man, aged 44, were both arrested in front of the apartment. All three suspects tested positive for drugs during urine screening tests, and their past records showed prior criminal and narcotics offences. They have been remanded under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.