Customs seizes RM156,000 worth of drugs in Miri

MIRI: In a significant crackdown, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak, has seized a box of dangerous drugs worth an estimated RM156,000 in Miri last month.

The operation took place on June 19 at 10:45 am where members of the Customs Narcotics Unit at the Miri station conducted an inspection at Miri Air Cargo, Jalan Airport, here.

JKDM Sarawak director Norizan Yahya said today the investigation led to the discovery of a suspicious package, purportedly part of an overseas shipment.

Based on the delivery note attached to the package, the customs team attempted a delivery control process, sending the box to the listed recipient’s address.

However, it was soon found that the address was fake, and the registered mobile number was inactive.

Subsequently, the team set up surveillance at the delivery company’s location in Eastwood Industrial Estate, Miri, waiting for someone to claim the box. When no one came forward, the box was confiscated for further investigation.

Upon opening the package, initial inspections and testing revealed three plastics suspected of containing dangerous drugs.

 The contents included 315gm of ecstasy pills, 501gm of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder, and 100 grams of ketamine. The total street value of these drugs is estimated at RM156,000.

The modus operandi of the drug syndicate involved using courier services from abroad to send packages to fake addresses and using inactive mobile phone numbers to avoid detection by authorities, Norizan said.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

If convicted, offenders could face the death penalty or life imprisonment, underscoring the severe penalties associated with drug trafficking in Malaysia.