Drugs in soap bars worth RM2.4 mln seized in Miri

BY Ariana Fidelia

MIRI: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) thwarted an attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs hidden inside soap bars worth more than RM2.4 million, the largest bust in Sarawak to date, here on June 27.

Sarawak State Customs director Norizan Yahya said a total of 24 boxes containing the drugs were sent via air cargo shipment.

He said that acting on intelligence from headquarters in Putrajaya, a team of customs officers from the Miri Customs Narcotics Unit was mobilised to make the arrest.

“The JKDM Miri team successfully foiled the attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs, namely ketamine, with the arrest of a 34-year-old local man in a car.

“The suspect was detained immediately after claiming 24 cargo boxes from an air cargo shipping company, and an initial inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of items declared as basic soap-making materials in the car trunk.

“Further inspection found that each box contained a hardened soap bar, and after a thorough check, the raiding party discovered two plastic packets labeled ‘Tie Guan Yin’ hidden inside each soap bar,” he said at a press conference today.

The packages containing drugs sent via air cargo that were seized by customs authorities.

A total of 48 plastic packets labelled Tie Guan Yin containing crystal lumps were found hidden inside 24 soap bars, and initial tests on the crystal lumps were positive for ketamine, with an estimated weight of 49.318kg and a value of RM2,465,900.

He said the evidence along with the car was seized under Section 30 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for further investigation.

“On June 28, the suspect was brought to the Miri court for a remand application under Section 31B (1) of the same Act, and the court ordered the suspect to be remanded for six days.

“In addition, the case is also being investigated under Section 39B (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a death penalty or life imprisonment and not less than 15 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed upon conviction,” he explained.

He urged the public to assist JKDM in combating smuggling crimes, particularly cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, drugs, vehicles, and others, and advised against getting involved in such activities.

He explained that smuggling not only causes the country to lose revenue but also poses a threat to national security and the well-being of the people.