MIRI: Sarawak narcotics police have dismantled a drug distribution syndicate with the arrests of two men and the seizure of various drugs worth RM639,250 last Thursday (April 11).
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata, in a statement, said that the drugs comprised 16.22kg of syabu, 198g of ketamine and 3,750 Erimin 5 pills.
These drugs were purportedly intended for distribution among 85,194 users within the district.
“The arrests took place around 10pm with the initial capture of a 26-year-old man in front of an entertainment centre, where 31.73g of syabu was seized from him.
“Subsequently, the team managed to arrest a 33-year-old man in a condominium and seized 16.19kg of syabu, 198g of ketamine and 3,750 Erimin 5 pills.
“Preliminary investigations found that the suspects were hired at rates ranging from RM2,000 to RM5,000 to obtain drug supplies from Peninsular and distribute them to consumers around Miri.”
Also seized in the operation were a copy of a statement account, five boxes containing ‘Firmapress’ packages with 80kg of powder suspected to be ingredients for processing juice, a vacuum packaging machine, a blender, a digital scale, two plastic packets, three spoons, a metal filter, a Proton Wira worth RM10,000 and a watch worth RM5,000.
Comm Mancha added that the suspects tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, and had a combine total of 16 prior records related to narcotics and other crimes.
They are being remanded until April 18 to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
If convicted, the suspects may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, shall be punished with up to 12 lashes of the cane.
He added that the Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) will continue their investigations to identify and arrest the remaining members of the syndicate.
The public are urged to report any information related to drug activities in their vicinity through the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.