PADAWAN: Narcotics police have taken RM1.25 million worth of suspected methamphetamine off the streets after seizing more than 20kg of the illicit drug last week.
Also arrested was a 63-year-old local man believed to be a courier for a drug trafficking syndicate.
Acting on intelligence, officers from the district Narcotics Crime Investigation Division (NCID) raided the parking area at MJC Batu Kawa New Township on July 15, where they inspected a Toyota Fortuner occupied by the suspect.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said officers discovered the cache of suspected methamphetamine inside a suitcase.
“The seizure of 25kg of drugs believed to be methamphetamine is estimated to be worth RM1.25 million and is enough to supply an estimated 125,000 drug users.
“We believe that the suspect’s role was to transport drugs for a trafficking syndicate, making him a runner within the criminal network.
“Although the man tested negative for drugs and has no prior drug-related offences, background checks found that he has one prior record involving offences under Section 5(1) of the Entertainment Ordinance 2000 and the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953,” he said.
Mohamad Zainal said the suspect has been remanded for seven days from July 16 to July 23 to facilitate investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, upon conviction. Offenders who are not sentenced to death are also liable to a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
He stressed that Sarawak police would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations to identify, hunt down and dismantle drug trafficking syndicates while cutting off the flow of illicit drugs and seizing assets linked to criminal activities.
Members of the public with information on drug trafficking or drug abuse activities, are urged to report them to Bukit Aman NCID hotline at 012-2087222 or Sarawak NCID hotline at 017-5929211.
