BY ALLAN JAY, EDWINNIE EINSTEIN UNJI & SAMUEL KARTUNIA KORNO
KUCHING: Narcotics police have uncovered a new trafficking tactic used by drug syndicates to transport drugs to a neighbouring country by modifying gas cylinders.
This revelation came from Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director, Datuk Khaw Kok Chin in a press conference at the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) yesterday (March 19).
Last Sunday (Mar 17), a joint team from Sarawak NCID and Miri NCID raided a residence in Miri and arrested six suspects – four inside the house and two in a car parked outside.
They also seized 20 ‘Guan Yin Wang’ tea packets of methamphetamine, concealed inside two gas cylinders. The total weight of the drugs was 21.7kg, with a market value of RM716,100.
Khaw explained that gas cylinders, which are subsidised goods, were believed to be easily transported across borders.
“When drugs are carried in a bag, detection is relatively simple. However, by modifying gas cylinders and concealing the drugs within, detection becomes much more challenging.
“Nevertheless, authorities are actively inspecting all subsidised goods at border checkpoints,” he said.
The latest modus operandi discovered during Sunday’s raid involved drugs being brought into Sarawak from Peninsular for repackaging before distribution to the Indonesian market.
Each gas cylinder could accommodate 10 tea packets containing methamphetamine, inserted through a hole made at the bottom of the cylinder, then sealed shut by the suspects.
“Investigations revealed that the gas cylinders were intended for smuggling into Indonesia through Sri Aman.
“This tactic was employed to evade suspicion during border crossings,” he said.
However, Khaw assured that the police’s agility and efficacy have thwarted the syndicate’s smuggling endeavours.
He warned that drug syndicates are adaptable and may resort to alternative methods in the future as soon as the latest method used was unsuccessful.
“Because of that, we need to be ahead of them, especially in Sarawak.
“Therefore, the public is advised to channel information related to drug activities in their respective areas, and we will take immediate action,” he said.
