SIBU: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department thwarted two attempts to smuggle in drugs totalling 26.52kg worth RM875,160 via Sibu Airport this month.
Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said in a statement on Friday (March 22) that in the first case, Customs officers from the Passenger Screening Unit at the airport detained a man upon arrival at around 11.55am on March 13.
The 20-year-old suspect was carrying a box with 13 packages containing a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine with a gross weight of 13.26kg and having an estimated market value of RM437,580.
"The man was suspected to be a drug mule bringing drugs into Sarawak," he said.
In the second case, Norizan said that at about noon on March 14, Customs confiscated an unclaimed box at the airport.
"The box contained 13 packages of suspected drugs with a gross weight of 13.26kg and an estimated value of RM437,580.
"Customs is now tracing the individual who left the box at Sibu Airport," he said.
Norizan said the suspects brought in drugs from Peninsular Malaysia in boxes labelled as snacks to deceive the authorities.
Based on the weight of the seizures, he said, Customs had prevented drugs from being distributed to 132,600 addicts.
Both cases will be investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death sentence or life imprisonment and caning upon conviction.
He added that from January up to March 19, Customs had confiscated 41.95kg of methamphetamine-type drugs worth RM1,384,350 at Sibu Airport.
He urged the public to help fight drug smuggling and refrain from getting involved in the crime.
Those with information on any smuggling can contact 1-800-88-8855.
