By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 10: The Sarawak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department of the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters has dismantled a methamphetamine trafficking syndicate, seizing drugs worth RM1.35 million during four raids conducted around Kuching and Padawan between July 3 and 4.
In a statement, Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said seven individuals were arrested during the operation, comprising three local men, one local woman, two Indonesian men, and one Indonesian woman, aged between 25 and 46.
The first raid was carried out at Jalan Matang at about 4.35pm on July 3, leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old local man and the seizure of 60.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
This was followed by the second raid at an apartment at Jalan Batu Kawa, where they detained a 43-year-old local man, a 44-year-old local woman, two Indonesian men aged 37 and 46, and a 34-year-old Indonesian woman, as well as 5.45 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
The third raid was conducted in front of a shop along Jalan Setia Raja, resulting in the arrest of a 25-year-old local man together with 5,300 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
As for the fourth arrest, police raided an apartment at Jalan Tabuan Tranquillity and discovered a further 21,600 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Following all four raids, he said that the total amount of drugs seized was 26,965.95 grams, with an estimated street value of RM1.35 million and was enough to supply about 134,500 users.
“Investigations revealed that syndicate members were paid between RM3,000 and RM6,000 a month to distribute drugs in the Kuching and Padawan areas. They acted as ‘runners’, acting on instructions from higher-ranking syndicate members (‘upliners’) to deliver drugs using a ‘drop-and-collect’ method without meeting customers face-to-face to avoid detection.
“The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction. If the death penalty is not imposed, offenders are also liable to receive no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane,” he said.
Alexson said preliminary urine screening found that two local men aged 25 and 43, a 37-year-old Indonesian man, and a 34-year-old Indonesian woman tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. None of the suspects had any prior criminal record.
Police also seized a motorcycle valued at RM10,500 and a car worth RM6,000 under the Dangerous Drugs Act. — DayakDaily
