Malaysia seized almost 1.2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, a record amount which officials says was disguised as tea shipped from Myanmar. The haul was worth US$18 million, according to reports, and was shipped in a container from Yangon to Port Klang, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Mr Subromaniam Tholasy, Customs Director-General, told reporters. Officials also said they arrested six people in the operation, three Myanmar nationals and three Malaysians. Crystal methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic drug also known as yaba, speed or shabu. “We are still investigating, but we believe the syndicate involved has links with syndicates in Myanmar, said Subromaniam, adding that officials also seized a small amount of heroin and about 1 million contraband cigarettes. Myanmar has for decades been Southeast Asia’s largest producer of opium, and its refined form heroin, but while those figures appear to be declining, the volume of methamphetamine being produced in Myanmar is reportedly on the rise.
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