NILAI – The Customs Department created a new record of sorts when it busted an international drug distribution syndicate following the seizure of 432.6kg of ecstasy worth about RM32 million last month.
Its director-general, Datuk Zazuli Johan, noted that this was the biggest seizure this year at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Cargo Complex.
“The seizure on August 29 was carried out following surveillance by a team from the department’s narcotics branch.
“A total of 36 boxes were seized and further checks revealed 12 boxes contained transparent plastic packets colourful pills believed to be ecstasy.
“The pills contained the type 3 and 4 MDMA (methylenedioxy methamphetamine) drugs and weighed about 436.2kg,” he told reporters at the Customs Narcotics headquarters in Kg Jijan near here.
He said the other 24 boxes were just filled with bricks which were part of the syndicate’s tactics to mislead the authorities.
The syndicate had earlier declared the drugs as “tools” to avoid detection.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the drugs had arrived from the Netherlands. Malaysia was its final destination,” he said, adding that it was the department’s fifth seizure from the Netherlands at the cargo complex this year.
No arrests have been made yet and investigations are being carried out under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. – The Vibes, September 6, 2023
