SEMPORNA: Sabah police dealt a significant blow to a suspected international drug trafficking syndicate after confiscating more than 329kg of syabu valued at almost RM18 million in two major operations in Tawau and Semporna on July 12 and 13The coordinated operations resulted in the seizure of 329.236kg of syabu and the arrest of six suspects, including a married couple, while another alleged syndicate member remains at large.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun told a press conference at Semporna Police Headquarters Monday that police from the Sabah Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (JSJN Sabah) and Kunak and Semporna Narcotic Crime Investigation Division launched an operation codenamed Op Bayu 11 following information on drug trafficking activities at a plantation here.
At 4.15am on July 13, the team inspected a white van (Toyota Hiace) and found 24 travelling bags containing 240 packs of drugs believed to be syabu weighing 254.35kg.
Further investigation led to the arrest of a local man and a local woman (couple) at 5pm on the same day in a house at Pasir Putih, Putatan, to assist in investigation.
Police also launched a manhunt for a 46-year-old man, identified as Cheong Min Ken, believed linked to the case.
“We believe the consignment was linked to an international drug network and was being prepared for shipment out of Sabah.
“Based on the information obtained during questioning, we suspect the drugs entered Sabah through the Sipitang border,” said Jauteh, adding they also believe the supply was linked to the Golden Triangle region involving Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.
According to Jauteh, on July 12, police from the JSJN Sabah with Kunak and Tawau Narcotic Crime Investigation Division launched Op Bayu 10 and inspected a grey Proton Saga in a parking lot at Jalan Tun Hamdan.
During inspection, the team discovered three golf bags and a black bag containing 70 packs of drugs believed to be syabu weighing 74.86kg.
A 36-year-old local woman, believed to be owner of the vehicle, was arrested to assist in investigation.
“Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of a man and a woman, both foreigners, at Batu 4, Lahad Datu, on July 13. They were believed to be on their way to Sandakan to escape using a Proton Persona. Police also seized RM1,200 cash,” he said.
On July 14, another local man aged 25 suspected involved in the case was detained inside a house at Jalan Chong Thien Vun, Tawau.
Police also seized RM12,674 cash, gold ring worth RM2,400 and gold necklace worth RM7,300.
Jauteh said all the suspects detained, aged between 25 and 47, tested negative for drug and have no previous criminal records.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Jauteh said all the drugs seized are estimated to be capable of supporting over 940,614 individual doses of consumption.
He said the total value of the drugs seized was estimated at RM18 million, and attributed the success to continued intelligence gathering by JSJN Sabah and information provided by the public on drug trafficking activities.
He said the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) greatly appreciates the cooperation provided by the community in channelling information to curb drug trafficking activities.
Jauteh also revealed that JSJN Sabah had conducted 12 Op Bayu operations between January and July 30, resulting in the seizure of almost four tonnes of drugs.
He said all suspects involved in Op Bayu 1 to Op Bayu 9 had been charged in court, while the suspects linked to the cases who could not be charged in court have instead been dealt with under special preventive measures.
“For Op Bayu 10, 11 and 12, all suspects remain under investigation and will be charged in court once the investigations are completed,” he added.
Jauteh said Op Bayu 12, conducted in Sipitang on July 30, resulted in the seizure of 3kg of drugs and the arrest of three individuals.
“Police are also working with other agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sabah, to strengthen efforts to prevent drugs from entering the State.
“Various measures, including continuous intelligence gathering, are being carried out to minimise the entry of drugs into Sabah and we will continue doing our utmost to ensure drugs do not enter the State,” he added
