MUKAH: A local man attempted to flee into a nearby forest after he was spotted behaving suspiciously near a telecommunications tower along Jalan Mukah-Balingian on Wednesday (Mar 11).
Mukah police chief, DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias, said the suspect was detected during an operation conducted by personnel from the district’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (BSJND) at about 1.45 pm.
He said the man tried to run into a nearby wooded area when police approached him but was successfully apprehended after a brief struggle.
“A body search later found a straw containing crystalline substances believed to be methamphetamine weighing about 0.34 gramme.
“Further inspection of the suspect’s Perodua Kancil, which was parked within the telecommunications tower compound, led to the discovery of three rolls of copper cable and several tools believed to have been used to steal cables.
“All the seized items, including the vehicle, were taken to the Mukah Police Station for further investigation,” he said in a statement.
He said police later received a report from a 44-year-old telecommunications technician regarding the loss of copper cables belonging to his company at the tower.
A urine screening test conducted on the suspect returned positive results for amphetamine and methamphetamine.
The case is being investigated under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, as well as Section 379 and Section 431A of the Penal Code for theft and damage to telecommunications infrastructure.
“The suspect, who has five previous records related to drugs and criminal offences, has been remanded for two days until March 14 to assist investigations,” he added.
