Fire at Senai factory uncovers two drug labs producing commercial-scale Erimin 5 tablets
A massive drug syndicate operating in Johor has been crippled after authorities uncovered two drug-processing labs, leading to the seizure of narcotics worth RM17.77 million.
Discovery After Factory Fire
The breakthrough came on September 14, when firefighters responded to a blaze at a technology goods factory in Senai Industrial Park. A police patrol team suspected illicit activity, prompting further checks. Investigators confirmed the premises had been turned into a laboratory for producing Erimin 5, a powerful psychotropic substance.
Massive Drug Seizures
Inside the factory, police found:
- 75kg of Erimin 5 powder
- 24.69kg of Erimin 5 pills
- 79.01kg of chemical powder
- 1.8 metric tonnes of liquid chemicals
- Various drug-processing equipment
Authorities later raided another factory in Desa Idaman, about one kilometre away, and uncovered 250kg of methamphetamine liquid, 20kg of ketamine, and 1.7 metric tonnes of precursor powder.
Arrest and Ongoing Hunt
A follow-up raid in Seri Alam resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old man, believed to be the syndicate’s “transporter” responsible for moving drug consignments disguised in wooden blocks. Police are now actively hunting three other suspects, believed to be the syndicate’s masterminds.
Scale of Operations
According to Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), the syndicate had been active since early February. Investigations revealed the two factories were rented for at least two years and equipped with machines capable of producing up to 100,000 Erimin 5 tablets per cycle.
Largest Haul This Year
The seizures amounted to 4.03 metric tonnes of drugs, with an estimated street value of RM17.77 million—the largest drug haul reported in Malaysia so far this year.
Legal Action Underway
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
The Johor raids highlight Malaysia’s ongoing battle against large-scale drug syndicates operating in industrial zones. The discovery underscores how transnational networks exploit commercial facilities for narcotics production, with significant implications for law enforcement across Malaysia, Singapore, and the wider region.
Sources: Bernama (2025) , Mediaselangor.com (2025)
Keywords: Johor Drug Labs, RM17.77 Million Seizure, Erimin 5 Tablets, Drug Syndicate Malaysia, Senai Drug Raid, Dangerous Drugs Act
