Johor police deny rural mini drug labs but target urban syndicates in 2023 crackdown
Johor police have confirmed the absence of mini drug labs in Felda settlements and rural parts of the state. These facilities, often linked to organised syndicates, operate on a large scale in urban areas instead. Authorities have also issued a stern warning to drug traffickers ahead of intensified enforcement in 2023.
Mini-labs are defined by police as organised, large-scale drug processing sites—not small home-based operations. In urban centres, syndicates rent houses and apartments to produce and distribute drugs in bulk. Felda settlements, however, see mostly conventional drug use, such as marijuana and heroin, with some addicts selling small amounts for personal consumption.
In 2022, Johor police dismantled hundreds of drug syndicates, seizing vast quantities of illegal substances. The haul included 544.31kg of methamphetamine, 147.78kg of heroin, 169.39kg of marijuana, and 1,464.72kg of ecstasy powder—totalling RM176.33 million in value. While no specific locations of cartel-run labs were disclosed, authorities have pledged stronger intelligence-led operations this year. Police have directly warned syndicates and pushers to halt their activities. The focus remains on disrupting large-scale operations rather than targeting minor offenders in rural communities.
The crackdown continues as Johor police prepare for heightened enforcement in 2023. With no mini-labs detected in Felda areas, efforts will concentrate on urban hubs where organised syndicates operate. The seizures from last year highlight the scale of the drug trade authorities are working to dismantle.
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