GEORGE TOWN: The saying "old habits die hard" seems apt to describe a drug pusher, who was again detained following a raid at his rented house in Nibong Tebal yesterday.
The 51-year-old had 11 previous records for drugs and criminal related offences. His last record dated back to 2018.
Deputy state police chief Datuk Mohamed Usof Jan Mohamad said that in the 8pm raid yesterday, police detained the man at the porch of his rented house with one packet of "Chinese tea" packaging.
"Further checks inside the house led to the discovery of 17.29kg of what appeared to be syabu worth RM571,500, packed in gold-coloured Chinese tea packaging.
"We believe the drugs are from a neighbouring country and belong to a bigger syndicate which the man is working with.
"The drugs are believed to be for the local market," he told newsmen at the state police contingent headquarters, here, today.
The drugs could have been supplied to 87,000 users.
Usof said the unemployed man had been active in the drug trade since last October.
"The man's urine test came back positive for methamphetamine."
The man has been remanded for a week to assist in investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.
Besides the drugs, police also seized a car and cash, amounting to RM19,200.
Separately, police detained three people, including a woman, aged in their 20s and 30s, and seized an assortment of drugs from them worth RM27,940, in a raid in Tanjung Tokong, here, yesterday.
Usof said among the drugs seized were 1,792kg of MDMA and 20 ecstasy pills weighing 13.75g.
The trio worked as a cook, waiter and waitress at an eatery.
"The trio have expertise in mixing the MDMA drug with powdered drinks which they sell at entertainment joints. They are sold for between RM150 and RM200," Usof added.
The trio have also been remanded for a week to assist investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.
