Duo nabbed, drugs worth RM3.6 mln seized

MIRI: In a significant drug bust, police arrested two men and seized 143 cannabis trees at a residence in Jalan Piasau here on Friday.

The raid, conducted by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division from the Miri District Police Headquarters (IPD Miri), uncovered the illegal activities of the suspects, aged 41 and 61.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata revealed the success of the operation at a press conference here today.

He stated that police had been monitoring the suspects for nine months before the raid, which also led to the seizure of 1,742.2 grammes of processed marijuana.

The total value of the confiscated drugs is estimated at RM3,627,400.

Preliminary urine tests found both suspects positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

 In addition to the cannabis trees and marijuana, police also seized property valued at RM24,500, including a car worth RM20,000 and a motorcycle worth RM4,500, under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.

“The suspects reportedly purchased cannabis seeds online from abroad, using courier services for delivery. Each packet of cannabis seeds, valued at $100, was used to cultivate the cannabis plants. The marijuana produced was allegedly sold around Miri at RM1 per 100 grammes,” said Mancha.

Both suspects have been remanded from September 14 to 21 and face charges under Section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for life imprisonment and no less than six strokes of the cane for the cultivation of cannabis.

They are also charged under Section 39B of the same Act, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death.

This is the second major case involving cannabis cultivation in Sarawak.

The last occurred in Sibu in July 2022, where 34 cannabis trees were seized.

Also present at the press conference was Miri Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu.