Customs Dept seizes over 2kg of cannabis disguised as Hari Raya gifts
Handout photo showing one of the packages seized during the inspection. — Sarawak Customs Department photo
KUCHING (May 5): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department successfully foiled a drug smuggling syndicate in two separate operations and seized 2.1kg of cannabis worth approximately RM62,880.
In a statement, Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said the first case dated March 28 involved the seizure of cannabis weighing approximately 1,024 grammes, with an estimated value of RM30,720 at a courier service premises at Jalan Durian in Sri Aman.
'At around 10.15am, a team of Customs officers from the Kuching Narcotics Branch conducted an inspection at the premises, which led to the discovery of four packages suspected to contain cannabis,' he said.
Norizan said the modus operandi of this syndicate was to smuggle the cannabis via air freight, concealing them as Hari Raya gifts, and sent to incomplete addresses to evade detection by the authorities.
In the second case, four packages were seized during a separate inspection conducted on the same courier service premises on April 2 at 11.30am.
The packages were found to contain cannabis weighing 1,078 grammes, with an estimated value of RM32,160.
He said the modus operandi was the same as the first case.
Both seizures were made under Section 30(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Cannabis is categorised as a dangerous drug under Part III, First Schedule of the Act.
Norizan said investigations are ongoing under Section 39B of the same Act, which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if the court imposes a life sentence, the offender shall also get a minimum 15 strokes of the cane.
He also called on the public to support the Customs Department in curbing smuggling activities, particularly those involving cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs, vehicles or other prohibited goods.
'Smuggling not only causes revenue loss to the country, but poses a threat to national security and public welfare.'
Members of the public can contact the Customs Department at 1-800-88-8855 or visiting the nearest Customs Department office. Their identities will be kept strictly confidential. cannabis crime Customs Department drugs lead
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