Married couple nabbed in Sarawak drug bust; RM8.5 million in narcotics, assets seized

SARAWAK police have arrested a married couple believed to be the masterminds behind a drug trafficking syndicate, seizing drugs and assets with an estimated value of RM8.5 million in a series of raids across the Sibu district.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the arrests were made on 12 and 13 June in coordinated operations at three locations in the central Sarawak town.

Speaking at a press conference in Sibu on Monday, he confirmed the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment with whipping upon conviction.

"The husband and wife are believed to be the masterminds of the drug trafficking syndicates," he said.

"Initial investigations showed they had sourced the drugs from Peninsular Malaysia and brought them in using air cargo."

The seized drugs, worth over RM500,000, are estimated to be sufficient for approximately 50,000 users. Police also confiscated around RM8 million worth of luxury vehicles and other personal valuables believed to be proceeds from their illicit activities.

The couple have been remanded while investigations continue. Mancha added that police are actively tracking down other members of the syndicate. - June 16, 2025