PETALING JAYA: Two suspected drug smugglers jettisoned 30kg of cannabis worth RM150,000 into the sea while being pursued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in the Kuala Perlis maritime zone on Thursday (Feb 3).
In the at 1.42am incident, an MMEA patrol detected a boat without a registration number, 2.26 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Perlis, believed to be coming from the Thai waters.
"Upon realising the presence of Malaysian Maritime personnel who ordered the suspect to stop the boat for inspection, the suspect threw a black package into the sea before speeding away," said Kedah and Perlis Maritime Director First Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, adding there were two suspects in the boat, both believed to be Malaysians.
"Enforcers gave chase but the Malaysia-Thailand border is only about two kilometres from Kuala Perlis and the two suspects escaped into Thai waters," he said in a press conference according to Berita Harian.
Mohd Zawawi said the black package contained 30 compressed lumps of cannabis, estimated at a total of 30kg.
"We do not rule out the possibility that the cannabis was used as barter, with ketum leaves from Malaysia in exchange.
"The exchange process is done around the Malaysia-Thailand sea border," he added.
Mohd Zawawi said the cannabis is believed to have been bound for Perlis, Kedah and Penang.
"We also believe the suspects were carrying more as the boat used can carry up to 500kg of cannabis," he said.
The drugs were taken to the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone office to be handed over to the investigating officer.
The case is being investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
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