Police arrest two suspects in Padawan, seize 33kg of meth worth over RM1 mln

KUCHING (Aug 29): Police arrested two suspects and seized 33 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at RM1,056,000 during an operation in the Padawan district yesterday.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said that the suspects, a 53-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were detained during an operation at Sentosa Parade Batu 7, Jalan Kuching-Serian, and Taman Kitang One 5, Jalan Batu Kitang, Padawan, carried out by a team from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) of the Sarawak Police Headquarters.

“The male suspect has a criminal record under Section 379A and 385 of the Penal Code, while the female suspect has no prior criminal record.

“Preliminary urine tests on both suspects were positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

“The total amount of methamphetamine seized was 33 kilograms, estimated to be worth RM1,056,000. This quantity of drugs could potentially serve 165,000 users,” he said in a statement today.

Additionally, two vehicles worth RM63,000 were seized for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The vehicles include a Proton Saga car valued at RM18,000 and a Toyota Camry car valued at RM45,000.

Assets valued at RM11,780 were also confiscated under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, including three gold rings worth RM10,780 and RM1,000 in cash.

Regarding the modus operandi, Mancha explained that the suspects acquired the drugs from a syndicate leader in Kuching.

He said they used the residence as a storage site and distributed the drugs to buyers based on the leader’s instructions, receiving RM100 daily as payment.

A remand order under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been obtained for six days, from Aug 29 to Sept 4 this year, for both suspects, he added.

“The investigation is conducted under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane,” said Mancha.

He said the police’s JSJN is committed to the fight against drugs, the nation’s number one enemy, and encourages the public to report drug-related activities via the JSJN hotline at 012- 2087222.