SRI AMAN: The Sarawak Customs Department seized eight packages of marijuana worth over RM60,000 from a courier service company between late March and early April.
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said the confiscations were carried out by the Kuching Customs Narcotics Branch on Mar 28 and Apr 2.
“The first incident happened at 10.15 am during an inspection at a premises along Jalan Durian, where officers seized four packages containing suspected marijuana weighing approximately 1.02kg.
“Meanwhile, the second raid at 11.30 am led to the discovery of another four packages with similar substances, weighing around 1.07kg,” he said in a statement.
The drugs, with a combined total of RM62,880, were seized under Section 30(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Norizan added that marijuana is classified as a dangerous drug under Part 3 of the First Schedule of the Act.
“Investigations revealed the modus operandi involved smuggling drugs using courier services, disguising them as ‘Hari Raya gifts’ and addressing them to incomplete locations to avoid detection by authorities,” he said.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Upon conviction, the offence carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment with caning.
In light of this, members of the public are urged to help the department to combat drug smuggling and smuggling of other goods as they deprive the country of revenue, and also pose a threat to national security.
They can report any suspicious activities related to smuggling via the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office.
