KOTA KINABALU: A manhunt is on for two suspected drug smugglers after some RM2.4mil worth of drugs were seized in Tawau on Monday (Nov 23).
The drugs, comprising 53.35kg of syabu and 234 ecstasy pills were seized in the during an operation dubbed "Ops Cegah Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin" that was actually aimed at cracking down on undocumented migrants.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Deputy Comm Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman said the 9.20pm raid came by following a radar detection of two vessels heading out of Malaysian waters towards Indonesia.
“The radar from the armed forces showed suspicious movements of the two high-powered speedboats, ” he said.
He said units from the marine police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the navy moved in to intercept the vessels following the detection.
DCP Ahmad Fuad said the vessels manned by two suspects turned back after realising that authorities were on their chase.
He said the suspects headed towards Kuala Sungai Tawau Lama and a chase ensued there.
“The suspects, however, managed to jump out of their boats and escaped after getting into a dark and secluded area, ” he said.
DCP Ahmad Fuad said upon inspection on the boats, security forces discovered the drugs packed in several boxes and tea packets.
He said they believe the drugs were from Sabah, but did not reveal which location exactly.
DCP Ahmad Fuad said they were still investigating whether an international syndicate is involved in this case.
He said the speedboats used, however, were from the neighbouring country and were mainly used by rich people.
“The speedboats have a 200hp (horsepower) Yamaha outsource engine attached, and these are used by people with money, ” he said.
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