Singaporean faces death penalty after RM1.52m cannabis haul found at Ipoh airport

A SINGAPOREAN man faces the prospect of the death penalty if convicted of drug trafficking after being arrested at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh with 19.04kg of suspected cannabis flowers worth RM1.52 million.

The 29-year-old suspect was detained at the check-in counter on Sunday while preparing to board a flight to Singapore, where he was scheduled to transit before continuing his journey to London, England.

Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said an inspection of the suspect's luggage uncovered dried plant material believed to be cannabis flowers.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly accepted a job offer advertised on a website, promising him SGD4,000 to transport a suitcase to London.

He was reportedly told that the luggage contained counterfeit luxury goods.

Mohd Alwi said the syndicate was believed to have used lucrative job offers to deceive individuals into becoming drug mules, transporting narcotics overseas through commercial flights.

A urine screening test found the suspect negative for drugs, while police checks revealed no previous criminal record.

He has been remanded for seven days to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - November 10, 2026