By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Sept 15: Miri police uncovered a significant cannabis-growing operation, resulting in the arrest of two local men and the seizure of cannabis worth an estimated RM3.6 million.
The raid, carried out by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division of the Miri District Police Headquarters (IPD Miri), took place at a residence along Jalan Piasau on September 13.
Police discovered 143 cannabis plants being cultivated on the property, along with 1,742.2g of processed marijuana.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata said during a press conference today that the total value of the cannabis and marijuana seized is estimated at RM3,627,400 and could potentially supply around 32,084 users.
Also seized was a book entitled ‘The Cannabis Grow Bible’.
The two suspects, aged 41 and 61, were apprehended during the raid. A preliminary urine test showed both men tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis.
The operation followed a nine-month investigation into the suspects, who had been actively cultivating cannabis for local distribution.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had imported cannabis seeds from abroad, ordering them online and receiving the deliveries via courier services.
Each packet of seeds, valued at around USD100, was used to grow the cannabis plants in the secrecy of their home.
Further inquiries revealed that the suspects sold the marijuana at RM1 for every 100g in the Miri area.
In addition to the cannabis seizure, police also confiscated property under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.
The items seized included a car worth RM20,000 and a motorcycle valued at RM4,500, bringing the total value of confiscated assets to RM24,500.
The two men have been remanded from September 14 to 21 to facilitate further investigations.
They are being investigated under Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum of six strokes of the cane for cultivating cannabis.
Mancha said that the case is only the second of its kind in Sarawak, following a similar bust in Sibu in 2022 that resulted in the confiscation of 34 cannabis plants. — DayakDaily
