In Miri, Customs Dept seizes RM2.4 mln ketamine hidden in air cargo shipments

MIRI (July 5): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) busted a drug smuggling attempt, said to be the biggest in Sarawak this year, with the seizure of RM2,465,900 worth of ketamine here last month.

Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said over 49kg of drugs were concealed in 24 boxes of air cargo shipments.

He said following a tip-off and intelligence from the Customs headquarters in Putrajaya, a team of Miri Customs Narcotics Unit personnel foiled the smuggling attempt on June 27.

“A local man, in his early 30s, was caught red-handed when he tried to load the boxes of shipment after receiving them from an air cargo delivery company here.

“When he was detained, his vehicle, a Nissan Almera, was seized along with all the boxes containing the drugs,” Norizan told a press conference here today.

He said the initial inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of 24 boxes containing soap-based materials.

“Detailed examination found that each box contained one hardened block of soap base. Thorough inspection found that in the boxes were two plastic packets labelled ‘Tie Guan Yin’ (tea) hidden inside each block of the soap base.

“A total of 48 plastic packets with the label, containing crystal lumps, were found hidden inside the 24 hardened soap bases. The crystal lumps were tested and confirmed as ketamine, with an estimated weight of 49.318kg, with estimated value of RM2,465,900,” he revealed.

He said the modus operandi was utilising air cargo services from Kuala Lumpur to Miri, with the drugs hidden in the hardened soap bases to foil cargo security scanners.

“This time, we were able to ambush the smuggler when he was loading the shipments into vehicles, after several unsuccessful operations previously,” Norizan said.

The drugs seized have been confiscated under Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for further investigation, while the suspect was placed under remand on June 28 for six days.

“As drug trafficking is a very serious offence, the suspect was not allowed bail and continues to be remanded,” Norizan said.

Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and at least 15 strokes of the rotan upon conviction.

Norizan also urged the public to combat smuggling crimes, especially involving cigarettes, alcohol, firecrackers, drugs, and vehicles.

“Members of the public are advised not to engaged in these activities, Smuggling not only causes financial loses to the country, but also poses a threat to national security and the welfare of the people.

“Those who may have any information relating to smuggling activities are encouraged to contact the Customs Department on 1-800-888855 or the nearest Customs Office. JKDM assures that the identity of informants will be kept confidential,” he added.