Pubdate: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 Source: Star, The (Malaysia) Copyright: 2000 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. Contact: 13 Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Website: http://www.thestar.com.my Authors: Nelson Benjamin and Simon Khoo POLICE BUST MAJOR ECSTASY SUPPLY CHAIN KUALA LUMPUR: Police have cut a major Ecstasy supply pipeline in the Klang Valley with the arrest of five people, including two women, and the seizure of hundreds of pills and raw materials during a raid at a house in Taman Salak Selatan here. The five suspects, aged between 20 and 50, were arrested after police seized more than 250 Ecstasy pills and the materials, worth about RM500,000, during the 3pm raid on Friday. It was learnt that the pills and raw materials were hidden in more than 20 tins. Police also seized several blending machines, used to mix chemicals for producing the pills. Several international passports and three vehicles, reported stolen in Nibong Tebal and Petaling Jaya over the past few weeks, were also seized from the makeshift laboratory. City deputy CID chief Asst Comm Hadi Ho Abdullah confirmed the raid and seizures, adding that investigations were going on. It was learnt that one of the suspects was the mastermind who had also been stealing cars. It was also learnt the raid was conducted by a police team from the city crime prevention unit (D4B) after a tip-off. Police believed that the racket had been active for at least two years and had rented the house several months ago. This is the third successful operation by the police in busting drug syndicates involved in manufacturing and supplying drugs here. About two months ago, two major laboratory based in Klang were smashed with the arrest of several suspects including foreigners and the seizure of drugs worth more than RM260mil. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D