JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: A couple who were involved in a failed cosmetics business decided to try their luck by selling drugs including setting up a drug laboratory in their luxury condominium.

They went to great lengths to protect their "business" by renting a unit on the 16th floor and would only start work after midnight to ensure their neighbours did not suspect.

However, police got wind of their operation and arrested the couple together with four other men and recovered some RM1.2mil worth of syabu on Wednesday.

Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mokhtar Shariff said the laboratory became known when police raided a house in Kangkar Tebrau at 1.30am and arrested four men, aged 20 to 39.

"We discovered that they had various types of chemicals with them," he said, adding that police also seized 110gm of syabu from the suspects.

DCP Mokhtar said police subsequently raided the condominium in Plentong and arrested the couple, aged 36 and 48.

"We believe that they have been operating for the past three months," he said, adding that police also seized a Mercedes Benz from the couple.

DCP Mokhtar added that investigations were being carried out under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act.

In another case, police arrested 25 people for suspected drug abuse in a raid on a discotheque in the city.

DCP Mokhtar said that two of those arrested were on the wanted list for a murder case.

The Star/Asia News Network