{
  "id": 16148036,
  "title": "Illegal temple in Klang used to store drugs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/illegal-temple-in-klang-used-to-store-drugs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T03:46:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/128698/illegal-temple-in-klang-used-to-store-drugs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A clandestine temple in Klang emerged as a storage site for illicit drugs, authorities revealed. Over the course of five police operations from October 13 to 19, 46 plastic bags, containing a total of 20.6 kilograms of heroin, were confiscated. Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar disclosed that the land, owned by the government, was intended for sewerage use. While the temple's operations are believed to have commenced at the beginning of the year, ongoing investigations may uncover connections to drug trafficking. Shazeli added that a temple employee, residing on the premises, has been apprehended to aid the inquiry. Further probes aim to ascertain the involvement of gangsterism elements at the site. Simultaneously, four additional raids targeted locations in Rawang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, leading to the seizure of 219.7 kg of narcotics, valued at around RM16.2 million. These drugs included cannabis flowers, cannabis, ketamine, and ecstasy, and were intercepted while being transported across the nation. Police apprehended eight suspects, including four foreign nationals, serving as drug mules from Europe and East Asia. One of the local suspects had a criminal history of seven previous convictions. The seized foreign nationals entered the country through social visit passes, and authorities are verifying these documents with the Immigration Department. The case remains under investigation pursuant to Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.",
  "summary": "An unregistered house of worship in Klang was used as a storage facility for drugs, according to reports from The Vibes and the New Straits Times. The discovery followed five separate operations conducted by the Selangor state Narcotics Crime Investigation Department between October 13 and October 19.\n\nSelangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar stated that the raids targeted four different syndicates, resulting in the seizure of various illicit drugs including heroin, cannabis buds, ecstasy, and ketamine, with a total value of RM16.2 million. Eight people were arrested during the operations, consisting of six men and two women aged 19 to 48. The detainees included three local men, one local woman, and four foreigners.\n\nThe New Straits Times reports that three foreign men and one foreign woman are believed to be involved in local and international drug syndicate networks and entered the country using social visit passes. While police believe the case involves a drug syndicate, Datuk Shazeli Kahar noted that investigations are ongoing to determine if gang activities or triad elements are also involved.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Police uncover RM16.2mil drug haul at unregistered temple in Klang",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/police-uncover-rm16-2mil-drug-haul-at-unregistered-temple-in-klang",
        "published": "2026-10-23T03:50:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Holy smoke: Massive ganja and heroin haul found in Klang house of worship",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/holy-smoke-massive-ganja-and-heroin-haul-found-in-klang-house-of",
        "published": "2026-10-23T05:14:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}