By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, June 11: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has made the first-ever seizure of cannabis flowers in Miri following its success in intercepting a drug smuggling attempt involving 26.313 kilogrammes of cannabis worth an estimated RM2.578 million.
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya described the haul as a major success for local enforcement in curbing drug trafficking through courier services.
“The seizure took place on May 13 at around 9.30am, following intelligence received from the Air Cargo Unit of the Miri Customs Branch. Acting on the tip-off, narcotics officers inspected five unclaimed parcels at a courier service premises along Jalan Pos, Miri.
“Inside the parcels, officers discovered 98 transparent plastic packages suspected to contain cannabis flowers. The drugs, cleverly disguised as clothing items, had been shipped from Peninsular Malaysia in an attempt to evade detection,” he said during a press conference at the Customs Miri Office today.
The Customs team monitored the parcels for five days in hopes of identifying those behind the smuggling attempt, but no individuals came forward to claim the packages.
According to Norizan, 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 sentenced to life imprisonment, offenders are also subject to at least 15 strokes of the cane.
No arrests have been made in connection with the seizure so far, but investigations are ongoing.
This case forms part of a wider enforcement effort in the region. To date, JKDM has recorded 14 drug-related arrests in the Miri area this year, with seizures amounting to RM6.89 million in value.
“Many of these smuggling attempts were linked to consignments from Peninsular Malaysia, with some believed to have been rerouted through illegal border crossings or ‘rat routes’ into Indonesia,” he explained.
Norizan added that 10 individuals have already been charged in court in relation to the 14 cases, underscoring the persistent and complex nature of drug trafficking networks operating in and around Miri. — DayakDaily
