By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Jan 13: The Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) has struck a major blow against drug trafficking with the arrest of two local men and the seizure of drugs worth RM328,173, along with assets valued at RM604,000.
Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the arrests of the two men, aged 42 and 38, were carried out on Jan 8 between 3.40pm and 7.50pm.
“The police seized drugs including 5,662.90 grams of methamphetamine, 1,819 grams of ketamine, 120 grams of Erimin-5 pill, and 60.2 grams of ecstasy, with an estimated total value of RM328,173.50.
“The police also confiscated assets suspected to be proceeds from drug distribution activities, valued at RM604,000. These included five vehicles and a Rolex wristwatch,” he said when speaking at a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) meeting room at the Kuching District Police Headquarters today.
The seized vehicles were:
- Toyota Alphard worth RM240,000
- Mercedes GLA 250 worth RM180,000
- Toyota Harrier worth RM40,000
- Perodua Alza worth RM35,000
- Yamaha motorcycle worth RM29,000
as well as a Rolex watch valued at RM80,000.
Alexson said the seized drugs and assets, with a combined value of RM932,175, could supply up to 32,573 drug users.
“Initial investigations revealed that the 42-year-old suspect acted as a store caretaker at a rented apartment and also served as a drug courier.
“The 38-year-old suspect collected the drug supply and stored it in the apartment before distributing it around the Kuching district.
“The 42-year-old suspect received instructions from his accomplices before delivering the drugs to customers,” he added.
Alexson said the rented apartment used to store the drugs led police to arrest the two men, with one guarding the stash and the other handling its distribution.
He further noted that preliminary urine tests showed the 42-year-old tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, while the 38-year-old tested positive for benzodiazepines.
“Both suspects have been remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for seven days, from Jan 9 to Jan 16.
“This case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. If the death penalty is not imposed, a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane applies,” he said.
Alexson said the operation succeeded due to intelligence gathering and public cooperation, and warned that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) would not show leniency to anyone involved in drug trafficking.
Drug-related activities are serious crimes, and the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) remains committed to combating drugs to safeguard both present and future generations.
Drugs are a national enemy, and members of the public are urged to report information to the NCID Bukit Aman hotline at 012-208 722 or the NCID Sarawak IPK hotline at 017-592 9211.
“At present, investigations are still ongoing. We are tracing the suspects’ accomplices and the leader of the network,” Alexson said. — DayakDaily
