Cops crush three attempts to smuggle RM5.7mil worth of drugs

Noor Rashid (right) and investigating officer Inspector Amrin Mohd Arif showing the confiscated items during a press conference in Bukit Aman.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) had crushed three attempts to smuggle in RM5.7mil worth of drugs between Dec 13 and Dec 16.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said NCID officers intercepted an attempt to smuggle in 20.2kg of syabu via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at about 8.40pm on Dec 13.

“We inspected two luggage arriving via an Egypt Air flight from Abuja, Nigeria which were using the same airway bill.

“The first luggage contained a few pairs of used jeans, while the other was used to conceal the drug stash,” he said Wednesday.

Similarly, 23kg of syabu was found inside a box arriving from Abuja via an Egypt Air flight on Dec 16.

Noor Rashid said upon further inspection, NCID officers found the stash hidden in a special compartment of a modified luggage bag at about 7.20pm in the Malaysian Airlines (MAS) cargo complex at KLIA.

“We believe that the same Nigerian syndicate was behind both attempts to smuggle in the drugs.

“Whoever is behind the attempts is well-versed with the procedures of smuggling drugs into the country,” he explained.

On Dec 14, the KLIA NCID team arrested a 44-year-old Indian national at the KLIA baggage claims area found with 5.4kg of ephedrine on him.

Noor Rashid said the suspect arrived at about 7.10pm from Chennai, India.

“We found the ephedrine inside his luggage, which was modified to conceal the illegal substance.

“He was apprehended on the spot and is being probed under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he explained.

Noor Rashid said police have not rejected the possibility that enforcement officers could have assisted syndicates smuggle the drugs into the country.