MIRI: Police seized 768.5kg of drugs, enough to feed the habit of over two million addicts, in what has been billed as the biggest drug haul in Sarawak this year.
The drugs, believed to have originated from Brazil and Taiwan, had been couriered into the city for distribution in the state and in the surrounding areas.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Director Dato Sri Mohd Kamaruddin Md Din who put the value of the drugs at RM47.2m said three local men aged between 28-37 were also arrested by police on Sunday (June 18).
The operation, a joint effort by Bukit Aman and Sarawak narcotics police, saw them raiding three premises which had been converted into storerooms and another in the city between 1.30am and 4pm that day.
“During the raid, police discovered various types of drugs concealed in fruit flavoured drink packaging and seized other assets, namely a car, cash and jewellery, amounting to RM84,757,” Kamaruddin said at a press conference here Tuesday.
He said among the drugs seized were Methylenedioxymethamphetaimine (MDMA) commonly known as Ecstasy (81.8kg), ketamine (686.7 kg) and Eramin 5 pills (1.15 gram).
“This is the biggest drug haul in Sarawak so far this year,” he said, adding the drugs can feed the habit of 2,561,740 addicts.
Kamaruddin said the drug syndicate is believed to have been active since February this year.
All three suspects, who tested positive for drugs, have been placed under remand for seven days, he added. Investigations are being carried out under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In a related development he said the team also raided an entertainment outlet here and detained 117 people the same day.
“Fifty-eight of them were men while the rest were women, and of this figure, 57 tested positive for drugs,” he said.
Also present during the press conference were Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri and Miri police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu.