Big haul: Norlela (second from left) showing the seized drugs from a box that was labelled as instant noodles.
SEPANG: A man has been detained after attempting to smuggle 15kg of ketamine worth more than RM700,000 inside a box labelled as instant noodles at KLIA2, says the Customs Department.
Its central zone assistant director Norlela Ismail said department personnel conducted checks on the box, which was checked-in by the suspect for a flight to Miri, Sarawak, at 7pm on June 16.
“The checks revealed 15 packets of white crystals believed to be ketamine, which were packed into tea packages, stored in the box.
“The drugs weigh 15.18kg and are worth RM760,000,” she told a press conference at the KLIA Cargo Customs office here yesterday.She said the suspect was believed to be a drug mule for using such a modus operandi to evade detection.
“The syndicate uses individuals who conduct self check-ins to distribute drugs to other locations. The suspect has been remanded and we are investigating further to discover how much he was paid to be a drug mule,” she said.
In another case, the Customs central zone seized a courier package filled with MDMA pills worth RM2.5mil at KLIA on June 19.
Norlela said the package was believed to have come from Europe and sent to a local company.“We discovered 14.66kg of pills in the package.
“We are in the midst of checking the local company involved –whether it truly exists or otherwise.
“The case has been classified under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” she said.
Meanwhile, more than RM600,000 cash, which was carried by a foreigner, was seized at KLIA.
Norlela said the passenger, who intended to board a flight to a country in the Middle East, was detained on June 13.
“The passenger, in his 60s, was detained following a check on his luggage.
“We discovered RM572,573 cash, along with Singapore currency worth S$24,500 (RM85,258).
“We are still investigating to uncover the source of the money.
“The man is a director of a foreign company,” she said.
The case is classified under Section 28B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act 2001.
“Those who intend to bring cash out of the country must declare (it) by using the No. 7 Customs form.
“It is needed for the amount of US$10,000 (RM47,150) or exceeding the figure,” she said.
Norlela said approval by Bank Negara Malaysia must also be obtained.
It was the second of such cases discovered by the department, she said.
“We urge the public to assist the department in combating the smuggling of contraband, especially cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, fireworks and drugs, by providing us with relevant information.
“Smuggling not only leads to losses for the nation, but it also jeopardises the country’s safety and security,” she said.
