KUCHING: Customs officials thwarted two drug smuggling attempts here this month.
Sarawak Customs director Mohd Nadzri Ariffin said his team managed to seize packets of methamphetamine and ketamine worth RM227,400 from a bus terminal on July 14 and 15.
“The first case on July 14 resulted in the arrest of a man in his 30s, who was claiming a package from one of the bus counters at the bus terminal around 1.50pm.
“The package containing four packets of drugs believed to be methamphetamine was sent from Sibu via the intercity bus service.
“Based on our observation, the suspect made several package claims at the terminal in the past,” Mohd Nadzri said.
The drugs weighing 1.02 kg and valued around RM38,400, were seized along with the suspect’s vehicle.
It is believed that the drugs are to be distributed around Kuching and Kota Samarahan. However, Customs officials are still in the midst of investigating whether the drugs are meant to be sent to a neighbouring country,
Mohd Nadzri said the suspect is being remanded to facilitate investigations under Section 39B (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking.
Meanwhile, the second case on July 15 resulted in the seizure of 100 ‘Juice Master’ (juice drink) packets laced with ketamine inside a package, at the same bus terminal around 7.30pm.
“Investigations found that the 3.2kg of drugs valued at RM189,000, were sent from Miri and efforts to track down the sender and receiver, based on the names and phone numbers written on the package, are underway,” he said.
He pointed out that the ‘Juice Master’ packets are believed to be in high demand in urban areas and are used in nightclubs.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the death penalty, upon conviction.
On another note, Mohd Nadzi said the department seized over 15.89kg of methamphetamine, ketamine and 100 pills of Erimin-5 in Kuching, Sarikei and Miri from January to July 2022.
The total seizure value, including the suspects’ assets, is estimated to be around RM877,470.
