Police in Sarawak have dismantled a drug syndicate using rented homestays as packaging centres, seizing RM16.8 million in narcotics and arresting four suspects in the state’s largest-ever bust.
KUCHING: Police have uncovered a drug syndicate’s tactic of renting homestay premises as packaging and storage centres.
The discovery followed two operations this month that led to four arrests and the seizure of drugs worth approximately RM16.8 million, the largest such seizure recorded in Sarawak.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the first raid targeted a homestay in Santubong on April 7. A couple aged 41 and 31 were arrested at the scene.
Police seized 107.5 kilogrammes of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 1.3kg of ketamine, 180 grammes of Erimin 5 pills, 102 grammes of ecstasy pills and 28 grammes of syabu. The total seizure from this raid is estimated at RM16.2 million.
“The seized drugs could potentially supply up to 16,952 addicts,” Mohamad Zainal told a press conference. He said the syndicate had been active since early April, using several homestays as temporary packaging locations to evade detection.
The two suspects were believed to handle packaging and distribution to locations designated via WhatsApp. “They were paid RM3,000 monthly plus a RM5 commission for every packet of drugs sold,” he added.
Police also seized a vehicle worth RM15,000 and RM1,856 in cash from the couple. Both suspects tested negative for drugs, though the woman has three prior criminal records.
They were charged at the Kuching Magistrate’s Court on April 20 with multiple counts under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The operation was a joint effort between the Bukit Aman and Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Departments.
In a second operation on April 19, police arrested two men aged 28 and 38 around Jalan Setia Raja. The arrest followed information from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency.
Inspection of the suspects led to the discovery of 1,281 vape cartridges suspected of containing marijuana liquid. The 3.2kg haul is valued at approximately RM576,450.
Mohamad Zainal said the two men are believed to have acted as runners and transporters within the syndicate network. “They received about RM8,000 for each delivery,” he stated.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Both suspects have no prior records and tested negative for drugs, and a vehicle worth RM12,000 was seized.
Mohamad Zainal also highlighted the success of the “No Day Without Arrests” approach in Sarawak. From January 1 to April 19 this year, 5,151 drug-related arrests were made, compared to 3,728 in the same period last year.
The value of drug seizures in the same period surged to RM31.9 million from RM3.1 million last year. This represents an increase of 913.7%.
