Police seized four tonnes of drugs worth RM17.7 million, making it the biggest drug bust in Johor this year.

Bukit Aman narcotics crime investigation department director Hussein Omar Khan said a man in his early 40s, believed to be a “transporter” who received and delivered drug packages disguised as wooden blocks to the factory, was arrested in Seri Alam.

He said police were alerted to the fire at about 4.30pm.

“Checks revealed the factory had been turned into an illegal drug-processing lab. The Bukit Aman NCID team seized various types of drugs and chemicals,” Sinar Harian quoted him as telling reporters at the Kulai police headquarters today.

Among the items seized were a metal tray with 14 plastic containers holding 75kg of Erimin 5, a box containing three plastic containers of Erimin 5 pills (24.69kg), three metal trays with 16 plastic packs, two boxes of chemical powder, and 11 drums of chemical liquid.

Police later discovered a second factory at Desa Idaman, just 1km away, used to store chemicals for processing various drugs.

They seized 10 bottles of methamphetamine liquid, a transparent plastic bag containing ketamine, and 1.7 tonnes of precursor powder.

They also confiscated four vehicles valued at RM161,000, bringing the total value of drugs and seized assets to RM17.93 million.

Hussein said the two factories had been rented for the past two years.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, upon conviction.

Police are still tracking down three suspects believed to be the masterminds of the syndicate, thought to have been active since early February.