PADAWAN: A man’s attempt to collect a parcel ended in a major drug bust when police seized 690 vape cartridges containing suspected cannabis liquid worth half a million ringgit.
The arrest took place around 9 am last Friday (Dec 5) when officers from the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) intercepted the 20-year-old suspect at a courier service centre’s parking area at Jalan Kong Ping.
Padawan police chief Supt Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi said they seized a box filled with the vape cartridges, along with RM470 in cash and a Yamaha motorcycle.
“The cartridges are estimated to be valued at RM586,500, and can provide an estimated 3,450 uses.
“We believe that they (cartridges) are sold at RM450 each for 2.5ml for the local market, and that this type of cannabis vape only began circulating this year.
“All of the seized items have been sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis to determine whether they contain additional substances,” he said at a press conference today (Dec 9).
Further investigations found that the suspect had been active in drug distribution since Sept this year.
He was allegedly paid RM200 to collect packages from courier centres and RM20 for each cartridge delivered to customers around Kuching and Padawan.
Mohd Irwan said the suspect tested negative for drugs but has one prior record related to narcotics.
The suspect is being remanded for seven days until Dec 13 to facilitate investigations under Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
If convicted, he may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with up to 12 strokes of the cane.
He added that efforts are underway to identify the syndicate leader and network behind the operation.
Members of the public are advised to remain cautious of modern drug forms disguised as vape liquids or beverages, adding that such substances can cause severe loss of self-control.
Those with information on drug activities can report them to Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) hotline at 017-5929211.
