Kepong drug bust nets 70kg ganja, two in custody

The Star

4 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Two men were arrested while some 73.25kg of ganja were seized following a raid in Kepong here.
Based on intelligence gathered, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) personnel intercepted the suspects' vehicle in Jalan Baiduri and detained the two locals, aged 38 and 33, at about 1.25am on Tuesday.
Bukit Aman NCID acting director Deputy Comm Mat Zani @Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the raiding team uncovered 70 compressed packages containing ganja, weighing 73.25kg, after a thorough search of the vehicle.
'We believe the street value of the seized drugs is RM227,063. It has the potential to feed the habit of 146,492 drug users if distributed,' he said in a statement yesterday.
Initial investigations revealed that the ganja was smuggled from a neighbouring country through the Perlis border and was intended for distribution in the Klang Valley, he said.
The suspects are believed to have acted as 'transporters' for the syndicate and have been active since early this year.
'Both suspects tested negative for drugs. However, background checks revealed extensive criminal records,' he added.
DCP Mat Zani said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
'We have also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, seizing two pairs of gold earrings valued at RM1,950.
'This brings the total value of the seizure and confiscated items to RM229,013,' he said, adding that both suspects had been remanded for seven days.
'This successful operation highlights the commitment of the NCID in combating the country's number one enemy – drug abuse.
'We urge the public to relay any information regarding drug-­related activities via the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222,' he added.
Separately, four drug traffickers were arrested following raids in the Sepang district.
Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Norhizam Bahaman said the suspects, three men and a woman, aged between 27 and 39, were detained on Wednesday.
'We seized various drugs worth RM36,500.
'All suspects were from the same village and they have been friends since they were little,' he told a press conference yesterday.
'We believe the suspects were transporters for the syndicate, which has been active since 2016. They were paid RM1,600 for each successful transport of drugs,' he said.
ACP Norhizam said the group managed to evade the police previously as they used rented cars to deliver the contraband and stayed in different budget hotels while en route to their destinations.
'The male suspects tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine while the female suspect tested negative for drugs.
'Two of the suspects have criminal records,' he said.