GEORGE TOWN: Police foiled an attempt to smuggle out drugs by sea route with the arrest of three suspects at a hotel in Teluk Bahang here.

       Penang Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Asst Comm Rahimi Ra'ais said the trio were arrested after police busted their room at about 9.15pm on Thursday (Nov 11).

       "Three men, aged between 34 and 41, were arrested after 18 bags of methamphetamine drugs weighing 19.2kg were found in their possession.

       "Also recovered were two pistols and 19 bullets.

       "We believe the drugs, valued at RM690,635 and enough for the consumption of 95,922 addicts, were to be sold to neighbouring countries and delivered by sea.

       "The hotel is possibly a transit point," he said during a press conference at the state police headquarters in Penang Road on Saturday (Nov 13).

       SAC Rahimi said initial investigations revealed that all three suspects were found to have multiple criminal and drug records besides testing positive for drugs in their urine.

       Meanwhile, police also recovered another pistol following the arrest of a 35-year-old man in Jelutong and a 30-year-old woman in Fettes Park on Nov 3.

       "We found a pistol and 11 bullets with the man and based on investigation, police believe the duo were involved in the alleged murder of an individual who was shot dead in 2019 in Sungai Pinang.

       "Checks on the man showed 17 drugs and criminal offences on his criminal record on him," added SAC Rahimi.

       He said both suspects will be charged in court under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 with possession of the gun without a valid permit as well as under Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960 for possession of live ammunition.