By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 23: Police have crippled a drug trafficking syndicate operating around Kuching, with the seizure of narcotics worth an estimated RM16.2 million and the arrest of two local suspects in a major coordinated raid.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the operation, conducted on April 7, 2026, was led by the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) in collaboration with Sarawak NCID, following intelligence gathering on the syndicate’s activities.
The raid took place at a homestay residence in Santubong, where officers arrested a 41-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman believed to be involved in packaging and distributing drugs for the syndicate.
Police seized a large quantity of drugs, including an estimated 107.5kg of MDMA, 1.28kg of ketamine, 180g of Erimin 5 pills, 102g of ecstasy pills, and 28g of syabu. Equipment used for drug processing and packaging was also confiscated.
Authorities estimate the seized drugs could have supplied nearly 17,000 drug users.
“Investigations revealed that both suspects were tasked with packaging drugs and distributing them to designated locations based on instructions received via WhatsApp. They were reportedly paid RM3,000 monthly and earned RM5 per packet produced.
“The syndicate used homestay premises as their packaging hub and sourced their supplies from other members based in Kuching. The group had been active since early April 2026,” Mohamad Zainal said in a statement following a press conference at the Sarawak Police Contingent headquarters today.
Checks also showed the female suspect had prior records involving drug-related and criminal offences, while both tested negative in initial urine screening.
Police also seized a vehicle worth RM15,000 and RM1,856 in cash under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.
Both suspects were charged on April 20 under multiple provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, including trafficking under Section 39B, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping upon conviction. The case is set for mention on May 25, while both remain remanded at Puncak Borneo Prison in Padawan. — DayakDaily
