Customs Dept seizes over 2kg of cannabis disguised as Hari Raya gifts
KUCHING (May 5): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department successfully foiled a drug smuggling syndicate in two separate operations and seized 2.1kg of cannabis worth approximately RM62,880.
In a statement, Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said the first case dated March 28 involved the seizure of cannabis weighing approximately 1,024 grammes, with an estimated value of RM30,720 at a courier service premises at Jalan Durian in Sri Aman.
'At around 10.15am, a team of Customs officers from the Kuching Narcotics Branch conducted an inspection at the premises, which led to the discovery of four packages suspected to contain cannabis,' he said.
Norizan said the modus operandi of this syndicate was to smuggle the cannabis via air freight, concealing them as Hari Raya gifts, and sent to incomplete addresses to evade detection by the authorities.
In the second case, four packages were seized during a separate inspection conducted on the same courier service premises on April 2 at 11.30am.
The packages were found to contain cannabis weighing 1,078 grammes, with an estimated value of RM32,160.
He said the modus operandi was the same as the first case.
Both seizures were made under Section 30(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Cannabis is categorised as a dangerous drug under Part III, First Schedule of the Act.
Norizan said investigations are ongoing under Section 39B of the same Act, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if the court imposes a life sentence, the offender shall also get a minimum 15 strokes of the cane.
He also called on the public to support the Customs Department in curbing smuggling activities, particularly those involving cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs, vehicles or other prohibited goods.
'Smuggling not only causes revenue loss to the country, but poses a threat to national security and public welfare.'
Members of the public can contact the Customs Department at 1-800-88-8855 or visiting the nearest Customs Department office. Their identities will be kept strictly confidential. cannabis crime Customs Department drugs lead
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Penang police arrest four men with RM53,500 drugs in Seberang Jaya, Gurun
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang police have dismantled a drug distribution syndicate following the arrest of four men and the seizure of narcotics worth RM53,500 in raids across Seberang Jaya and Gurun, Kedah. Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the operation, conducted by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), took place between 4 pm on Sunday and 5 am yesterday. The suspects, aged between 32 and 61, were detained in separate locations. In the first raid, three men were apprehended in a parking lot in Seberang Jaya. A search of their vehicle uncovered two canvas bags containing 10 packets of compressed ganja leaves weighing 9,920 grams. A follow-up operation in Gurun led to the arrest of another suspect. Police found a sack with seven packets of suspected ganja (6,995 grams), four packets of heroin (30.34 grams), and three packets of methamphetamine (3.45 grams). Mohd Alwi stated that the syndicate sourced its supply from regional drug networks, repackaging and distributing the narcotics in Penang since May. The seized drugs could potentially supply 35,000 addicts. All suspects have been remanded for seven days under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - Bernama
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Drug trafficking syndicate smashed – RM64,000 in narcotics seized, 4 arrested
GEORGE TOWN: Police have crippled a drug trafficking syndicate operating across Penang and Kedah with the arrest of four men and the seizure of over RM64,000 worth of drugs and assets in a two-day operation. The arrests were made between 4pm on Sunday and 5am yesterday by a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities, believed to have been active since May. Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said three suspects, aged between 32 and 61, were detained at a vehicle parking lot in Seberang Jaya, where police discovered 10 compressed packets of dried leaves believed to be ganja, hidden in two canvas bags in the car boot. "The total weight of the seized ganja from the first raid was 9,920g, with an estimated street value of RM53,500," he said in a statement today. Acting on leads from the initial arrests, police conducted a follow-up raid in Gurun, Kedah, where another man was arrested. Alwi said further inspection led to the discovery of a gunny sack containing seven packets of suspected ganja weighing 6,995g, four packets of heroin (30.34g), and three packets of syabu (3.45g). "The combined volume of drugs seized is sufficient for about 35,000 uses," added Alwi. Urine screenings revealed that three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while the fourth tested positive for a combination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and morphine. Alwi said all four had prior records of criminal and drug-related offences. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from yesterday until July 27 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes upon conviction. As part of asset forfeiture measures under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, police also seized a Perodua Rusa valued at RM11,000. The total value of the drug haul and seized assets is estimated at RM64,500. Alwi reaffirmed the police's commitment to eradicating drug distribution networks, adding that joint efforts with other enforcement agencies would continue in a bid to strengthen intelligence sharing and enforcement actions. The public is urged to report any information related to drug abuse or trafficking to the NCID via its hotline at 012-208 7222.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Four arrested, RM64,500 drugs seized in Penang, Kedah raids
GEORGE TOWN: Police have crippled a drug trafficking syndicate operating across Penang and Kedah with the arrest of four men and the seizure of over RM64,000 worth of drugs and assets in a two-day operation. The arrests were made between 4pm on Sunday and 5am yesterday by a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), following intelligence gathered on the syndicate's activities, believed to have been active since May. Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said three suspects, aged between 32 and 61, were detained at a vehicle parking lot in Seberang Jaya, where police discovered 10 compressed packets of dried leaves believed to be ganja, hidden in two canvas bags in the car boot. "The total weight of the seized ganja from the first raid was 9,920g, with an estimated street value of RM53,500," he said in a statement today. Acting on leads from the initial arrests, police conducted a follow-up raid in Gurun, Kedah, where another man was arrested. Alwi said further inspection led to the discovery of a gunny sack containing seven packets of suspected ganja weighing 6,995g, four packets of heroin (30.34g), and three packets of syabu (3.45g). "The combined volume of drugs seized is sufficient for about 35,000 uses," added Alwi. Urine screenings revealed that three of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while the fourth tested positive for a combination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and morphine. Alwi said all four had prior records of criminal and drug-related offences. The suspects have been remanded for seven days from yesterday until July 27 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes upon conviction. As part of asset forfeiture measures under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, police also seized a Perodua Rusa valued at RM11,000. The total value of the drug haul and seized assets is estimated at RM64,500. Alwi reaffirmed the police's commitment to eradicating drug distribution networks, adding that joint efforts with other enforcement agencies would continue in a bid to strengthen intelligence sharing and enforcement actions. The public is urged to report any information related to drug abuse or trafficking to the NCID via its hotline at 012-208 7222.
