By Jassmine Shadiqe

JOHOR BARU: Some RM1 million worth of syabu, believed to be from the biggest drug bust of the year, has been reported missing from the state police headquarters.

Although police did not want to comment, the loss of the 5kg of drugs has now placed the case against 12 suspected members of an international drug syndicate in jeopardy.

The drugs were part of the RM48 million worth of narcotics seized. Police also seized RM1.1 million from the syndicate.

The drugs were discovered missing on Thursday and investigations have begun following a report lodged by a police officer from the state police headquarters at the Johor Baru (South) police headquarters.

It is learnt that the thieves, alleged to be policemen, had used acid to melt the padlock to the evidence room where the drugs were kept.

It is understood that more than 60 policemen who were on duty at the police headquarters at the time, were made to take urine tests following the report. However, it is not known what the results of the tests were.

Sources, however, said a police officer was detained on Saturday after failing a urine test.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar and Federal Narcotics Department director Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharuddin said they were "aware of the case" but declined to comment.

Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff could not be reached for comment.

In the drug bust in March, police raided three premises here. The raids uncovered two makeshift laboratories that processed he-roin, Eramin 5, Ecstasy and ketamine for export.

It was reported that 12 suspects were arrested, including a 70-year-old man, believed to be a financier for the syndicate, three Singaporeans and a Thai woman.

Two of the three Singaporeans were said to be hardcore addicts and big-time pushers.