Temple converted into meth lab in Ipoh

IPOH: Some unscrupulous people have "converted" a temple in Jelapang into a mini-drug laboratory to process methamphetamine.
Ipoh district Narcotics Criminal Investigation department which was tipped off on this illegal activity raided the temple on Monday about 6.30pm and detained five men aged between 19 and 46 after seizing methamphetamine weighing four kilos with a street value of RM1.14 million and seven litres of methamphetamine oil liquid weighing 11.9kg for processing the drug.
The drug which was meant for distribution in the state can meet the demand of some 40,000 addicts.
Police also seized several drug processing equipment, apparatus, chemicals, and five motorcycles valued at RM15,000.
Perak deputy police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Hasnan Hassan said upon interrogation it was revealed that some of the suspects worked either as labourers or were unemployed.
"Those tested positive had previous drug related cases," he said, adding that the temple was used for their drug processing activity as it was not used for regular prayers or religious activities.
Hasnan said they would be taking statements from the temple committee as part of their investigation.
"The temple was used to avoid detection by authorities," he said.