Cops seize 365kg of meth worth RM13.14 million, suspected trafficker held
KANGAR: Police busted a major drug trafficking operation in Perlis following the seizure of 365kg of syabu (methamphetamines) worth RM13.14 million concealed in a car in Beseri, Padang Besar, yesterday.
A 40-year-old man, believed to be a trafficker, was arrested in the early morning raid.
Perlis police chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said the operation followed a tip-off, leading officers to a house in Kampung Belat Batu, Beseri, at 3.30am yesterday.
"Police detained a man driving a Proton Waja in the area. Interrogation led to the discovery of a Toyota Vios parked nearby, suspected to be linked to drug activities," he told a press conference at the state police headquarters here today.
A search of the vehicle found 17 tightly sewn sacks containing crystal meth, also known as syabu, with a street value of over RM13 million.
A preliminary investigation found the suspect had previously been involved in human trafficking activities, using illegal jungle routes in Padang Besar to smuggle undocumented migrants across the border.
"For this case, we believe the same routes were used to bring in the meth supply from a neighbouring country," he said.
The seized drugs were believed to have been stored temporarily in houses or vehicles in Perlis before being transported to destinations in the south, including the Klang Valley.
Halim said the suspect, who works as a heavy machinery driver, had five prior criminal records involving snatch theft, drug offences and human trafficking.
A drug test also returned positive for methamphetamine.
"The seized meth could supply up to 3.6 million drug users," he added.
Police are now tracking down another man believed to be the suspect's accomplice, who fled the scene during the operation.
The suspect has been remanded until June 7 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Geng Upik leader, accomplice jailed for organised crime, drug links
KOTA KINABALU: Two individuals, including the leader of 'Geng Upik', were sentenced to prison by the High Court here today. Datuk Maslan Sani, 42, who was identified as the leader, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to being a member of the organised crime group between 2015 and 2023. Nelson Yen Yee Chung, 47, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to an alternative charge of aiding the organised crime group. Both accused entered their pleas before Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng. Maslan was charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Meanwhile, the alternative charge against Nelson was framed under Section 130W of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment upon conviction. According to the facts of the case, Maslan was arrested at 2.30am on Dec 25, 2023, at an entertainment outlet in Penampang on suspicion of involvement in the organised crime group. Investigations showed the accused played the role of group leader and was involved in drug trafficking activities alongside other members to gain material benefits. The investigation also revealed that the organised crime group 'Geng Upik' was involved in drug trafficking activities connected to several serious offences, including three cases in Tawau and one in Manggatal. In Tawau, authorities seized 53kg of syabu linked to 'Geng Upik'. The investigation also led to the arrest of an individual who assisted the group, namely Syafilah Pawawoi, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for drug offences. Another individual who also allegedly assisted 'Geng Upik' is currently on trial at the Tawau High Court under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. In Manggatal, the group was linked to the seizure of 4.6kg of syabu. In Nelson's case, he was arrested on Dec 25, 2023 in Inanam. The investigation found, among other things, that the accused had assisted the organised crime group by attending meetings and helping to manage its business and financial affairs. Both accused, through their respective lawyers, asked for a lenient sentence. Lawyer Hamid Ismail, representing Maslan, said that the accused is a divorcee with nine children, aged between three and 18, to support. He also informed the court that the accused was a first-time offender and expressed remorse for his actions. Lawyers Datuk Ram Singh and Prem Elmer Ganasan, representing Nelson, informed the court that this was his (Nelson's) first offence and that he regretted his actions. The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, Lina Hanini Ismail, Siti Hajar Mat Radzi, and Nur Ainaa Ridzwan. Meanwhile, the trial of three other individuals – Zulkahar Dusing, 38, Rahman Burijin, 44, and Jaisalfian Jaineh @ Zaini, 45 – who are facing charges of being members of 'Geng Upik', is set to take place from July 15 to July 18. In total, 15 individuals have been charged in connection with the 'Geng Upik' case. However, previously, 10 individuals had pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of aiding an organised crime group and were sentenced to three years' imprisonment each.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
RM1.5M Marijuana Seized at Penang Airport, More in Parcels
BUTTERWORTH: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) found 29 packets of marijuana leaves, believed to be worth RM1.5 million, in a piece of luggage at the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) last March 4. State Customs director Rohaizad Ali said the luggage, which did not have any identification, was found at Baggage Carousel A at the airport. 'A check of the luggage found 29 transparent packets containing dried plants suspected of being marijuana flowers, estimated to weigh 16,210 grams with a market value of RM1.5 million,' he told a press conference here today. In another case on April 16, Rohaizad said four packages of dried plants suspected of being marijuana flowers, weighing 2,236 grams worth RM219,128, were found by Customs officers during checks on parcels at Pos Malaysia Berhad's Courier Mail Post (PMK). The parcel containing the dried plants was declared to contain nine units of 'Comic Books', which had been exported to the United Kingdom (UK) and returned to Malaysia with the status of 'Returned Parcel', he said. He said investigations, under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, were still in progress.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Penang authorities probing into ganja seizures at airport, mail centre
BUTTERWORTH: The authorities are investigating two drug seizures involving ganja at the Penang International Airport and a local mail and courier centre. State Customs director Rohaizad Ali said in the first case, Customs officers from the PIA passenger inspection branch, at 11.35am on March 4, discovered an unclaimed luggage on Carousel A containing 29 transparent packages of dried plant material suspected to be ganja. "The luggage had arrived on an international flight from China and bore no identifying information," he said at a press conference here today. "The seized items weighed an estimated 16,210g, with a street value of about RM1.59 million. "We believe the drugs were smuggled into the country as checked-in personal luggage." He said the case is still under investigation. In a separate incident on April 16, Rohaizad said, Customs officers from the Narcotics Unit, assisted by drug detection dogs, intercepted four suspicious parcels during an inspection at the Mail and Courier Centre , Pos Malaysia Bhd, in the state. He said the parcels, declared as containing nine comic books, were found to hold 2,236g of dried plant material, also suspected to be ganja. He said the estimated street value was RM219,128. "The items had previously been exported to the United Kingdom and marked 'returned parcel'." Both cases are being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If convicted, offenders may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the rotan if not sentenced to death.
