Kota Kinabalu: An attempt to smuggle in syabu worth RM3.36 million disguised as detergent failed with the year’s biggest such seizure at Sepanggar Port last Wednesday.
Customs Director General Datuk Zazuli Johan said the Narcotics Branch Enforcement Operation Unit, Customs Operational Battle Force Response Assault (Cobra) conducted a 5pm raid, following a tip-off.
The team inspected the container that arrived from Port Klang and found the drug stored in nine boxes.
“Further inspection on the boxes yielded the methamphetamine weighing 101.951kg worth RM3,364,383. The drugs were packed inside transparent packets kept inside Anchor brand detergent packs.
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Also present was Assistant Director-General (Sabah Zone) Mohd Nasir Deraman, among others.
No arrest was made despite the whopping amount. Investigations are continuing to identify the sender and the intended recipient at a condominium in Likas.
Zazuli said the modus operandi was to distribute the drugs using containers and placing them in detergent packages as well as declaring them to be so.
“The goods will be mixed with other goods in a ‘Less than Container-Load’ (LCL) container. The case is being investigated according to Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.
He said Sabah Customs also seized 122.9kg drugs worth RM7.66m in operations between January and July 25 this year.
“This includes 103.17kg methamphetamine-type worth RM3,857,920.84; 10.09kg cannabis estimated worth RM54,226.90; and 9.65kg Ketamine and Ecstasy estimated worth RM382,443.80.
“In addition, Sabah Customs also seized 631.77kg ketum worth RM6,289.31. Some 581.48kg of ketum powder estimated worth RM5,786.46 and 50.29kg ketum leaves estimated worth RM502.85,” he said.
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