Two of the suspects were Iranians, who had entered the country as “missionaries”, said the report.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Commissioner Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the raids took place at five locations in Perak and Selangor, and the suspects, aged between 22 and 46, had been operating in the country the past six months.

According to him, the Iranians were believed to be freelance chemists, employed by local syndicates to come into the country and produce the syabu for local consumption, as well as for western countries.

Five of the suspects, including the two foreigners, tested positive for drugs and four of the six local men had convictions for drug use.

Police also found that the syndicate had changed the traditional base operation of drug gangs from high-end condominiums to rural areas to evade detection.

Also seized during the raids were three cars, a motorcycle and RM42,300 in cash.