Customs Dept prevents smuggling of meth worth RM347,200 through Kuching airport, suspect arrested
Norizan Yahya
KUCHING (May 8): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak has foiled an attempt to smuggle 10.136kg of methamphetamine worth RM347,200 through Kuching International Airport.
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said a suspect has been arrested for the smuggling of the dangerous drugs via a flight from Peninsular Malaysia.
He said the drugs were hidden with snacks to try to evade detection.
'On April 16, 2025, at approximately 12pm, JKDM Sarawak's Special Passenger Inspection Unit (UKPP) team, in collaboration with its narcotics branch, arrested a local Iban man, who had just arrived at the Kuching International Airport (KIA), Sarawak via a flight from Kuala Lumpur,' Norizan said in a statement.
'The arrest was made as a result of surveillance works of the UKPP team members, who had detected suspicious movements of a suspect in the baggage claim area. The suspect was seen claiming one box from the baggage carousel before heading towards the toilet with the box. UKPP team members then acted to conduct an inspection on the individual and the box he was carrying.'
He said the inspection found 10 transparent plastic packets suspected to contain methamphetamine, which is a drug listed under Part I of the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking.
If convicted, the offender could face the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if the sentence given by the court is life imprisonment, the offender will receive a minimum 15 strokes of the cane.
'Members of the public are urged to help JKDM fight against smuggling crimes, especially cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles, and others, and are advised not to get involved in such activities,' Norizan said.
'Smuggling not only harms the country in terms of revenue leakage, but it also poses a threat to national security and the well-being of the people.'
The public can report smuggling activities by contacting the Customs toll-free line on 1-800-88-8855 or head to the nearest Customs office.
The department guarantees that the identity of each informant will be kept confidential. Kuching International Airport lead methamphetamine Norizan Yahya
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Customs seizes contraband cigarettes worth RM11.9 mln in Kuching raid
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads WhatsApp Telegram KUCHING (Aug 20): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department Sarawak has seized 12 million sticks of contraband cigarettes valued at RM11.88 million, including duties and taxes, in a raid at Demak Laut Industrial Park here on July 29. Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said the enforcement operation was carried out by the department's Kuching Land Operations Unit following intelligence gathered by the intelligence branch. 'On July 29, 2025, at about 4pm, acting on information received, a team of customs officers raided a warehouse at Demak Laut Industrial Park that was being used to store cigarettes suspected to be uncustomed goods. 'The raid led to the seizure of 12 million sticks of cigarettes valued at RM3.6 million, with unpaid duties and taxes amounting to RM8.28 million, bringing the total estimated value to RM11.88 million,' he told a press conference at Wisma Kastam Medan Raya here today. Norizan said checks revealed the premises was partly used to store legitimate dutiable goods, while another section was used to keep contraband cigarettes. The cigarettes, believed to have been smuggled in from Indonesia, were meant for local distribution. A local man in his 50s, believed to be the warehouse manager and owner, was arrested during the raid but later released on bail pending investigation. Norizan stressed that action against smuggling syndicates must be stepped up as the illegal trade continues to thrive, particularly in regions with high cigarette taxes. 'When the tax on cigarettes is higher than the actual value of the cigarettes themselves, the more they are smuggled, the more profit syndicates stand to gain,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. Upon conviction, offenders face a fine of up to RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Calling for public cooperation, Norizan urged Malaysians to assist Customs in combating smuggling activities involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles, and other restricted goods. 'Smuggling not only causes revenue losses to the country but also poses threats to national security and the well-being of the people,' he said. Members of the public with information on smuggling activities are encouraged to contact the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, and their identities will be kept strictly confidential.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Sarawak Customs seizes almost RM12mil worth of contraband cigarettes
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya (centre) showing the seized cigarettes at the department headquarters. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The Sarawak Customs Department has seized contraband cigarettes worth an estimated RM11.88mil, including unpaid duties and taxes, from a warehouse here. Sabah Customs director Norizan Yahya said enforcement officers, acting on intelligence from headquarters, raided the premises at Demak Laut Industrial Park at about 4pm on July 29 and seized 12 million sticks of undeclared cigarettes. "The cigarettes were valued at RM3.6mil and the unpaid duties estimated at RM8.28mil," he told a press conference here on Wednesday (Aug 20). Norizan said a local man aged 54 was arrested during the raid and subsequently released on a RM50,000 bond. Initial investigations found that the warehouse was used to store undeclared items, he said. The case is still being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act and offenders can be fined up to RM500,000, or jailed not more than five years, or both. He urged the public to report smuggling activities to the Customs hotline at 1-800 888 855 or the nearest Customs office, adding that all information will be kept confidential.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Ex-legal claims adviser fined almost RM100,000 for cheating
BUTTERWORTH: A former legal claims adviser has been fined RM97,200 by the Sessions Court here after pleading guilty to two charges of cheating involving Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) claims last year. Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah handed down the sentence on A. Ari, 37, after he admitted to the charges at the Butterworth court on Wednesday (Aug 20). The court also ordered him to serve six months jail for each charge in default of the fines. In the first charge, Ari had admitted to having cheated Muhammad Helmi Abd Rahman, 36, by deceiving him into believing that he could secure a higher percentage of Permanent Disability Assessment (HUK) by a medical board in a PERKESO claim. This led the victim to hand over RM50,000 at a restaurant in Seberang Jaya in September 2023. For the second charge, Ari had used the same modus operandi to cheat another man, Mohammad Azrin Ibrahim, 29, of RM47,200. Both charges were framed under Section 417 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of five years, a fine, or both upon conviction. Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutors Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Nurnajihatul Idayu Mohd Azuyar had urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence. 'If the court allows a fine, I request that it be a reasonable amount,' said Noor Azura. However, Ari's counsel, S. Parameswaran, during mitigation, pleaded for a lower fine, citing his client's current financial struggles. 'My client has since been sacked and now works as a lorry driver earning RM4,000 to RM5,000 a month after being dismissed from the legal firm. "He also supports his mother, his wife, who is a housewife, and two school-going children aged 10 and 12. 'He has saved the court's time by pleading guilty, is remorseful after being remanded for four days following the arrest and promised not to reoffend. 'Moreover, he did not keep all the money and had to pawn his wife's jewellery to raise RM60,000 for the fine,' he said.
