By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, July 5: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak has successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs into Miri, seizing narcotics worth an estimated RM2,465,900.
This significant bust took place on June 27, around 8pm, thanks to coordinated intelligence efforts from the Putrajaya customs headquarters and the Sarawak Customs Intelligence Zone.
Customs officers from the Customs Narcotics Unit at Miri station acted swiftly on the provided intelligence, apprehending a local man shortly after he claimed 24 boxes from an air cargo delivery company, disclosed Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya today during a press conference in Miri.
The suspect, aged 34, driving a Nissan Almera, was found with the boxes, which were initially declared as base materials for making soap.
Upon inspection, each box was found to contain a hardened lump of soap base.
Further examination revealed that each lump concealed two plastic packets labelled ‘Tie Guan Yin’. In total, 48 packets were discovered, containing crystal chunks that tested positive for ketamine.
The total weight of the seized ketamine is approximately 49.318kg.
The smugglers employed air cargo delivery services from Kuala Lumpur to Miri, attempting to hide the prohibited items within ostensibly innocuous soap base materials, said Norizan.
The suspect and the vehicle were seized under Section 30(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Following the arrest, the suspect was brought before the Miri Court on June 28, where he was remanded for six days under Section 31B(1) of the same Act.
As the initial remand has expired, the suspect will be further remanded.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs 1952. — DayakDaily
