MIRI: Customs officers seized more than 24 kg of suspected methamphetamine at Miri Airport after intercepting a passenger arriving on a domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur.
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) said the seizure was made during an enforcement operation on Feb 27 at about 5.15pm, following intelligence indicating that a traveller arriving from Kuala Lumpur International Airport was carrying luggage believed to contain illicit drugs.
Officers from the enforcement division of the JKDM Miri station detained the individual upon arrival and conducted an inspection of the baggage.
During the search, authorities discovered 24,486 gm of crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine concealed inside commercial packaging. The drugs were found in 21 yellow packets labelled as Chinese tea and three blue packets bearing labels of a mangosteen fruit product.
Customs officials estimate the street value of the seized drugs at RM783,552.
The narcotics were seized under Section 30(1) of Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Methamphetamine is listed as a dangerous drug under Part III of the First Schedule of the Act.
Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya said the case remains under investigation.
Authorities believe the drugs were being smuggled through a domestic aviation route from Malaya into Sarawak, a method enforcement agencies say is sometimes used by traffickers attempting to move narcotics into the state.
Under Malaysian law, trafficking offences involving such quantities fall under Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Those convicted face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Offenders who are not sentenced to death may also receive no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane.
Customs officials have urged the public to assist enforcement agencies in combating smuggling activities, which include not only drugs but also cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and vehicles.
Members of the public with information on smuggling activities are encouraged to contact the Customs Department’s toll-free hotline or report to the nearest customs office. Authorities say the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
