SIBU: Police crippled a drug syndicate that has been operating since 2015 here, with seizures amounting to RM8.53 million – the largest drug bust in Sarawak’s history – and arrested a married couple believed to be drug dealers in the town.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata, the arrests were made on Jun 12 and 13 by a police team from the Sibu Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), who conducted raids in three location, near a shop along Jalan Pedada and at two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya.
“We seized drugs worth RM532,934.40, comprising 7,086.7g of syabu, 2,078.9g of ketamine and 2,022.6g of Erimin 5 pills. These drugs could have supplied up to 49,702 addicts.
“We also seized assets estimated to be worth RM7,997,450, which included RM5.15 million in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, and three luxury cars,” he said at a press conference today.
He added that investigations revealed the couple — the husband, aged 52, and the wife, 44 — had been running their operation since 2015 and obtained their drug supplies from Peninsular Malaysia, using courier services for local distribution.
“Initial urine tests showed that both suspects tested negative for drugs and have no prior criminal records,” he said.
Mancha stated that the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
“Police are actively tracking down the remaining members of the syndicate to ensure it is completely dismantled.
“The Royal Malaysia Police, particularly the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, remain committed to eradicating drug trafficking, which is the nation’s number one enemy.
“The public is encouraged to provide any information related to drug activities through the NCID hotline at 012-2087222,” he said.
