BUTTERWORTH: Police “gatecrashed” a drug party at a condominium on Jalan Lestari here and arrested eight individuals on Wednesday (Aug 17).

       State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Senior Asst Comm Rahimi Ra’ais said the suspects, four local men and four foreign women, were nabbed during a raid at about 6pm.

       The raid, led by Deputy Supt Akmal Yahaya and ASP Mohd Fairuz Mustafa, was carried out by the anti-vice, gambling and secret societies division (D7) unit of the Penang police contingent.

       "Based on public tip-offs, the police raided the condominium unit on the 10th floor and found the suspects partying amid loud music while drinking juices laced with drugs," he said in a statement posted on the Penang PDRM Facebook page.

       SAC Rahimi said the suspects, aged between 25 and 40 years old, were partying at the condominium unit that police believe was rented by one of the male suspects since a year ago.

       During an inspection at the condominium unit, police found various type of drugs believed to be used by the suspects during the party.

       Among the drugs found were Erimin 5, ecstasy pills and drinks laced with drugs and syabu.

       He said seven of the suspects also tested positive for drugs.

       During the raid, police seized audio systems and disco lights from the condominium.

       "We believe there is a possibility that the rented condominium unit has been transformed as a makeshift entertainment centre during the National Recovery Plan (NRP) period," he said.

       He said the case is being investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code, Section 12(3) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 and Section 15(1) of the same act.

       Police thanked the public who had furnished the police with the information about the drug party and welcomed any cooperation from the public in giving information related to criminal activity to the police.

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