KUCHING: A homestay used as a drug packaging hub has been exposed in Sarawak’s biggest-ever drug seizure, with a couple arrested and RM16.21 million worth of narcotics confiscated.
The operations, carried out on April 7 by Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) with assistance from the Sarawak contingent, targeted a residential homestay in Santubong.
Sarawak Police Commissioner, Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the team seized a massive haul of drugs comprising 107,524 grammes (g) of MDMA, 1,283g of ketamine, 180g of Erimin 5 pills, 102g of ecstasy pills, and 28g of syabu.
Also confiscated were equipment used for drug packaging and distribution activities.
“The total street value of the drugs is estimated at RM16,216,450, with the potential to supply 16,952 drug users.
“Investigations found that both suspects, aged 41 and 31, were responsible for packing and distributing the drugs to locations determined by other syndicate members via WhatsApp.
“As packagers and distributors, they were paid RM3,000 monthly and received a commission of RM5 for each packet sold,” he said at a press conference today (Apr 23).
The syndicate, believed to have been active since early April, had used the homestay as a base for repackaging drugs, with supplies sourced from other members operating within Kuching.
“Based on our investigations, the suspects would rent a homestay for several days to pack the drugs before leaving and distribute them to consumers. Efforts are underway to track down the remaining syndicate members,” he said.
Background checks showed the female suspect has three prior offences under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Section 489C of the Penal Code, and Section 5(1) of the Entertainment Ordinance 2000.
Preliminary urine screening tests found both suspects negative for drugs.
Zainal stated that they have also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, seizing a vehicle valued at RM15,000 and cash amounting to RM1,856.
Both suspects were remanded in two stages before being charged at the Magistrate’s Court here on Monday (Apr 20) with four charges under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, one charge under Section 39A(1), and two charges under Section 12(2) of the same Act.
They are currently held in Puncak Borneo Prison, Kota Padawan, pending case mention on May 25.
