MIRI: Customs officers have thwarted an attempt to smuggle in over 26 kilograms of cannabis via a local courier service here, the narcotics worth an estimated RM2.578 million.
The operation resulted in the first-ever cannabis flower seizure in the city, according to Sarawak Customs Director, Norizan Yahya.
“This is a landmark case for Miri. Unlike compressed cannabis, cannabis flower fetches a much higher value on the black market,” Norizan said at a press conference on Wednesday (June 11).
Acting on intelligence shared by the Air Cargo Unit of the Miri Customs Division, enforcement officers inspected five unclaimed parcels at a courier company premises on the morning of May 13.
The inspection uncovered 98 transparent plastic packets containing what is believed to be cannabis flower, with a total gross weight of 26.313 kilograms.
Initial investigations suggested that the drugs were shipped from Peninsular Malaysia and falsely declared as clothing items to avoid detection.
Customs officers had monitored the parcels for five days prior to inspection. No individuals came forward to claim the packages during that period.
Authorities believe a syndicate had attempted to use commercial courier services to bypass enforcement checks, a tactic increasingly employed in trans-regional trafficking.
No arrests have been made so far, and the case remains under investigation.
However, officials believe the packages were intended for onward distribution, potentially through illicit border routes into neighbouring Indonesia.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment.
Convicted offenders also face no fewer than 15 strokes of the cane if sentenced to life imprisonment.
This seizure forms part of a larger trend observed by customs authorities here.
To date, 14 drug-related cases have been recorded in the division this year alone, with 10 individuals already charged, involving narcotics worth a total of RM6.89 million.
The bulk of these cases are linked to supply routes originating from Peninsular Malaysia.
Authorities say traffickers often exploit remote “rat trails” along the Sarawak-Indonesia border to move drugs undetected.
Customs officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to postal or courier services.
