By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Sept 29: Drugs worth RM783,218 as well as assets worth RM448,272 were confiscated in two operations carried out in Tebedu and Kuching recently.
According to Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah, at around 2.45pm on Sept 24, a team from the Serian District Police Headquarters arrested an 18-year-old local man by the roadside of Jalan Tebedu-Serian and seized drugs weighing 20,611 grams believed to be methamphetamine.
“The second raid was made in an apartment at Jalan Tun Jugah in Kuching, at about 5.50pm on Sept 25. A 63-year-old local male senior citizen was arrested. Police seized cash totalling RM19,350, foreign currencies in Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong notes worth RM68,225 found in the apartment.
“Other various assets seized were a Lexus RX300 car worth RM250,000, a Rolex watch worth RM55,000, a gold belt buckle worth RM28,304, and three gold rings worth RM27,393.
“The total value of the drugs and assets seized is approximately RM1.23 million,” Zainal said in a press conference at the Sarawak Police headquarters today.
Authorities estimate the methamphetamine seized has the potential to reach approximately 103,055 users.
He added that preliminary urine screening on the first suspect was negative for drugs, while the second suspect tested positive for ketamine, benzo, tetrahydrocannabinol, and methamphetamine.
The first suspect has no prior criminal record, but the second suspect has one previous record under section 73(1)(g) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 for cock fighting.
Asked about the syndicate’s modus operandi, Zainal said, “This one has been active since early 2024, and drug supplies were obtained from members in West Malaysia. The syndicate then transported the drugs to Sarawak via air. RM5,000 will be given as payment for drug delivery.”
Both suspects are currently remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for seven days.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If convicted, the offender may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, shall also be subjected to no less than 12 strokes of caning. — DayakDaily
