POLICE have made one of the biggest drug busts on the island, so big that some officials have hailed it as a "big success".

Six illegal labs were raided, 19 arrests were made and RM10.5mil worth of drugs were seized in a week-long blitz in the state. The labs included several upscale condominium units. When the raid was conducted, six were clandestine labs. The other three were storerooms, said Othman Harun, deputy chief of the Federal Narcotics Department. Read here.

The drugs comprised of methamphetamine (or syabu), heroin, ketamine, ecstasy, opium, ganja and ephedrine, among others. Also seized were vehicles, jewellery, computers, digital cameras and assorted currencies worth RM666,132. Read here.

The police say that they are still attempting to track down more members of the drug syndicate. "We will not leave any stone unturned in efforts to combat crime and with the intelligence we have now, we will continue to investigate," said state police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob. Read here.

Plea for pitbulls

Even though his dogs were responsible for mauling an Irish tourist earlier this year, owner Joseph Teoh has vowed to fight a magistrate's order to put the pitbulls down.

Teoh, who owns an organic farm in Balik Pulau, is fighting to save at least two of the dogs' lives, as well as attempting to file an injunction against an earlier court order pending a review of his case. Two of the dogs ordered to be put down had nothing to do with the mauling. “Putting down four dogs is illogical," he said. "Does this mean that when a murderer is found guilty, his entire family must also be sentenced to death? Animals have rights even if they cannot speak.” Read here.

In response to the court order, animal lovers have swamped Ong Beng Huat, special assistant to the chief minister, with emails and text messages to plead for the dogs' lives. "I am not the one handling the matter. It is best that the matter be referred to the council... or get the owner to appeal against the decision,” she said. Read here.

Other news

• ASNI: Penang govt misled people about Unesco’s swiftlet ban: The state government has misled the Penang people by claiming that Unesco called for a ban on swiftlet farming in the George Town world heritage site. Read here.
• Penang to spend RM1.2m for arts festival: The Penang government will be injecting RM1.2 million into this year’s George Town Festival, an annual month-long event to celebrate the city’s Unesco World Heritage listing, which was granted in 2008. Read here.
• Chuah first Malaysian-born mayor in Britain: A woman from Penang will take the oath tomorrow to become the first Malaysian-born mayor in England. Read here.
• Stray dogs caused breakdown, says Penang Hill train contractor: An independent contractor has confirmed that the breakdown of the Penang Hill train service on May 3 was caused by stray dogs. Read here.
• Penang Umno hopes for surprise at next general election: Penang Umno recognises the stiff challenge at the next general election but hopes that the people will serve a pleasant surprise. Read here.

For more news on Penang, please click through to iGT NetBuzz May 16 to 22, 2011 here. For daily updates, "like" iGeorgeTown on Facebook or join us on Twitter.        

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