Police uncover RM16m drug smuggling network using second-hand vehicles shipped to Sabah

THE police have uncovered a sophisticated narcotics smuggling operation that concealed drugs inside second-hand vehicles transported from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah via roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo vessels.

The operation came to light following a series of raids conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) in Tawau, leading to the seizure of more than 323 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and nearly one litre of liquid suspected to be fentanyl.

JSJN director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the syndicate’s latest tactic involved using imported used vehicles as carriers for drug shipments entering Sabah.

“The modus operandi of the syndicate is to use second-hand vehicles from Peninsular Malaysia that are shipped to Sabah using roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels as a medium for drug smuggling,” he said during a press conference at the Tawau District Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Also present were JSJN deputy director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali, Border Control and Protection Agency deputy director-general (Operations) Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir, Tawau police chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin, and Sabah JSJN chief Assistant Commissioner Al Husin Halil.

Hussein said the latest operation followed an earlier arrest on April 21 involving a Toyota Harrier sports utility vehicle carrying more than 130 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.

The breakthrough prompted a second operation on May 1, during which police raided two additional vehicles — a Nissan Sylphy and a Toyota Camry — in the Bandar Sri Indah area near Tawau.

“Inspection of the vehicles uncovered 85 packages suspected to contain methamphetamine weighing 90.41 kilogrammes, as well as 488 cartridge packages containing liquid suspected to be fentanyl totalling 0.98 litres.

“Further inspection of the Toyota Camry led to the discovery of 99 packages suspected to contain methamphetamine weighing 102.90 kilogrammes,” he said.

In total, police seized 323.91 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 0.98 litres of suspected fentanyl, with the haul estimated to be worth RM16.34 million.

Authorities believe the narcotics could have supplied approximately 1.5 million drug users had they entered the black market.

Hussein said investigations were ongoing to identify the wider syndicate network, including its sources of supply and intended distribution channels.

Responding to allegations that police personnel and prominent individuals may have been involved in the syndicate, he stressed that no individual would be shielded from investigation if evidence emerged linking them to the operation.

“No one will escape, including prominent individuals, and if there is evidence we will charge them,” he said.

He added that the Royal Malaysia Police had previously detained officers and personnel suspected of assisting drug trafficking syndicates. - May 7, 2026