Sarawak Customs failed a failed attempt to smuggle 80.35 kilograms of soap worth over RM4 million at Bintulu

BINTULU, 15 Sept: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) of Sarawak has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 80.35 kilograms worth more than RM4 million worth of sabut drug into Bintulu.

Sarawak State Customs Director, Datuk Norizan Yahya said the drugs were detected hidden in several packages claimed to be merchandise, namely Tofu Cat Litter.

According to him, the activity uncovered the results of a 12-day surveillance and retention of intelligence.

"On 28th August, a team of Customs officers from JKDM Bintulu Enforcement Branch and Narcotics Branch, JKDM Headquarters conducted monitoring on several packages sent to a premises in Bandar Bintulu.

"The package was advertised as Tofu Cat Litter, but the inspection results found that it contained a suspected compression strap of the drug sabu or methamphetamine", he told a press conference No. 9/2026 of Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak in Bintulu, here today.

All seized drugs weighed 80,356.33 grams with an estimated value of RM4,017,816.50.

He added that the syndicate's modus operandi is believed to disguise drug packaging as a commodity in addition to using untrusted recipient information to prevent the activity from being detected by authorities.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

If convicted, the offender may be sentenced to death or life imprisonment and if sentenced to life imprisonment, the offender shall also be fined not less than 12 times.

He also urged the public to disclose information related to any smuggling activity to authorities, with the identity of the informant guaranteed confidentiality.

The robbery was the largest drug robbery in Bintulu so far this year.