Latest news with #NarcoticsCrimeInvestigationDivision
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Cops uncover syndicate using luxury condos as front to store drugs in KK
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun (centre) showing the drugs seized from a 23-year-old man. KOTA KINABALU: A 23-year-old man's elaborate plan to turn two luxury condominiums into secret drug distribution hubs ended when police uncovered his illegal operation. Officers found the high-end units being used to store and distribute various narcotics, including methamphetamine, ketamine, and ecstasy. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the investigation revealed that the suspect had rented two posh condos, one on Jalan Haji Saman and another in Jesselton, using them as covert bases to stash and package drugs destined for both local and international markets. "These upscale premises are believed to be chosen for their exclusivity and low suspicion, and operated as the syndicate's nerve centre for its trafficking activities," he told reporters on Friday (July 11). The secrecy did not last, as acting on intelligence, officers from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Kota Kinabalu District Police raided one of the units on July 4 at 7.45pm. There, they arrested the suspect and found 790.56g of syabu inside a bag, alongside a digital weighing scale, packaging tools, and a money-counting machine, all telltale signs of large-scale drug operations. Jauteh said a second raid at another luxury unit the next day uncovered 14.14g of ketamine. "The investigation then led us to a locked Toyota Yaris, parked near the Sabah Art Gallery Outdoor Artspace, believed to be another stash point. "Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a suitcase and a box containing 12.7kg of syabu, 6.9kg of ketamine, 25 packets of ecstasy juice, and 10 ecstasy pills. In total, the seizure is estimated to be worth RM960,000," he said. In addition, police also confiscated two four-wheel drive vehicles, bringing the total value of the operation's bust to RM1.23mil. "This syndicate had clearly gone to great lengths to disguise its operations using high-end properties as secret bases. These drugs could have fuelled over 100,000 individual doses," he said. He added that the suspect, who tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, had no previous criminal record. The drugs are believed to have entered Sabah by air and were being prepared for cross-border distribution. The suspect is currently remanded and under investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
RM1.2mil drug bust: Luxury condos turned into drugs safehouses
KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to use two luxury condominiums as drug storage and distribution hubs was foiled when police raided the units, uncovering narcotics worth nearly RM1 million. The suspect, a 23-year-old local man, had been renting the high-end residences — reportedly for thousands of ringgit per month — as part of a ploy to evade detection. However, his operation came to an abrupt end following a sting by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division at the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters. The two condominiums, located at Jalan Haji Saman and Jesselton, were allegedly used as "secret bases" to store methamphetamine, ketamine and ecstasy for both local and international distribution. Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the first raid took place at 7.45pm on July 4, during which a bag containing 790.56g of suspected syabu (methamphetamine) was found, along with a money-counting machine, digital weighing scales and drug-packaging equipment. "On the following day, a second condominium rented by the suspect was raided, where officers discovered two plastic packets containing 14.14g of suspected ketamine," he told reporters after the monthly assembly at the Sabah Police Headquarters today. The suspect later led police to a locked Toyota Yaris parked at a public car park near the Sabah Art Gallery Outdoor Artspace. Inside, investigators found a suitcase and a box containing 12.7kg of syabu, 6.9kg of ketamine, 25 packets of ecstasy juice and 10 ecstasy pills. The drugs are estimated to be worth RM960,000. Police also seized two luxury vehicles, including a Toyota Hilux, bringing the total value of the seizures to RM1.23 million. Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate brought drugs into Sabah by air before trafficking them to neighbouring countries. "The narcotics seized could have supplied more than 100,000 doses to addicts," Jauteh said. The suspect, who tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, has no prior criminal record. He is currently being held under remand and investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Drug traffickers try to ram police, two arrested in Sabah
BEAUFORT: Police were forced to open fire on a car's tyres after three suspected drug traffickers attempted to flee during a pre-dawn raid, nearly ramming into officers in the process. The incident occurred at 4.15am on Friday along Jalan Membakut during 'Op Gempur', an operation conducted by the Beufort district police's Narcotics Crime Investigation Division. District police chief Superintendent Wong Leong Meng said the suspects' vehicle was initially intercepted by police, who identified themselves by shouting "police". "However, the driver responded aggressively by accelerating the vehicle towards the raiding team, nearly hitting them. "In self-defence, officers were forced to fire several shots at the car's tyres," he said when contacted today. He said the suspects' car was later found by the roadside along the Pan Borneo Highway near Kampung Lumat. "The three suspects attempted to flee into nearby bushes, but two were apprehended while one remains at large. "The two arrested suspects are aged 18 and 29," he said. Further investigation led to the discovery of a cigarette box containing 51.28 grammes of methamphetamine worth RM3,800, found in one of the suspects' trouser pockets. Police also seized the car, a key, and several mobile phones to assist in the investigation. "Checks showed that one of the suspects has four prior drug-related offences, while the other has no criminal record. "Both suspects have been remanded and are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 307 of the Penal Code," he added. Meanwhile, Wong said police are still tracking down the third suspect and working to identify the source of the drug supply linked to the group.
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Two men nabbed in Mukah for drug possession, abuse
Police handout photo shows the suspects being apprehended at Jalan Mukah-Selangau on Thursday. MUKAH (July 4): Two local men, aged 17 and 21, were arrested by narcotics police here on Thursday for suspected drug possession and abuse during an inspection along Jalan Mukah-Selangau. Mukah district police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias in a statement today said the duo were stopped at around 3.30pm by a team from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Mukah District Police. A search of both suspects led to the discovery of a transparent straw tube each, containing crystalline substances believed to be methamphetamine. 'The total weight of the drugs seized was 0.61 grams with an estimated value of RM100. 'Both suspects also tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine during urine tests,' he said. According to Muhamad Rizal, one of the suspects works as a shop assistant while the other is a labourer. Both have been remanded at the Mukah Police Station lock-up to assist in further investigation under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, he added. The offence under Section 12(2) carries a fine of up to RM100,000 or a maximum jail term of five years, or both, while Section 15(1)(a) provides for a jail term of up to two years or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, along with a mandatory supervision order.
The Star
02-07-2025
- The Star
Couple nabbed in Penampang, KK during drug raid
KOTA KINABALU: A husband and wife have been arrested in possession of suspected syabu (methamphetamine) during a drug raid at Kampung Nosoob in Penampang on Monday afternoon (June 30). The local couple, aged 54 and 55, were detained by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Penampang district police headquarters around 4.30pm. Penampang district police chief, Supt Sammy Newton, said a search led to the discovery of a clear plastic packet containing crystal-like substances believed to be methamphetamine, weighing approximately 50.5g. Police also seized two vehicles and RM1,800 in cash. He said the street value of the seized drugs is estimated at RM2,500. 'Initial urine tests confirmed that both suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine,' Newton said in a statement on Wednesday (July 2). The case is investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment with at least 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death. The couple is also being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the same act for drug use and is currently under remand. Newton urged the public to report any information related to drug abuse or criminal activities to the nearest police station. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
