KOTA KINABALU – The Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized over 12kg of drugs worth half a million ringgit on September 29 at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The stash, which was hidden in frozen fish packaging, is believed to have been smuggled from outside Malaysia.
Customs Assistant General Director Datuk Abdullah Jaafar said that the drugs worth RM501,025 were detected at about 5pm at the airport.
His department received information that there were suspicious plastic packages, believed to be filled with prohibited items.
“Further investigation found 23 plastic packages inside a styrofoam ice box filled with white powder believed to be methamphetamine and ketamine.
“The methamphetamine weighed 9.11kg (valued at RM331,956), while the ketamine weighed 3.19kg (valued at RM169,070),” he told a press conference at Sabah Customs Tower here today.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a)(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death sentence or life imprisonment if found guilty.
Abdullah said this is the second drug bust conducted at the airport by the Customs Department.
The first case was reported last month.
“The Customs Department will continue to monitor this matter from time to time,” Abdullah said, appealing that the public assist the department in its fight against smuggling activities, especially those involving cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, firecrackers, vehicles and drugs.
He also advised the public to refrain from such activity as it is not only detrimental to the country, but also threatens the security of the nation.
“The public is asked to supply information on drug smuggling by contacting the department at 1800-888-855 or by visiting the nearest customs office.
“The department assures that the identity of each informant will be kept confidential,” he said. –The Vibes, October 6, 2021
