Penang police chief Suhaily Zain said the force’s narcotics investigation division raided a house in Jalan Bendahara, Penang, on Friday night, and arrested a married couple.

“We checked the male suspect, who is an ex-policeman, and found 10 blocks of marijuana weighing 10.2kg and worth RM25,000 on him,” he said.

Suhaily said the man was a former corporal who served in Marang, Terengganu, for 11 years before being booted out in 2018 for drug-related offences.

He added that the police also arrested the man’s wife at the house and seized another 443 blocks of marijuana weighing 441kg which was worth RM1.1 million.

The female suspect works as a factory operator. Both are aged 33.

Following these arrests, the police raided another house and arrested another male suspect, a 42-year-old businessman, and seized RM37,000 in cash.

No drugs were found on the suspect, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation.

According to Suhaily, the drugs were smuggled into the country via sea from a neighbouring country.

He said they were from an international syndicate which had used both the homes raided as distribution warehouses.

He added that the local drug supply operation had been active since early last year.

The police also seized three cars and two motorcycles worth RM416,500 following the raid.

Suhaily said all three suspects have been remanded until Jan 20 to assist with the investigation, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.