Successful raid: DCP Mat Zani (right) with his Australian counterpart looking at the drug haul at the Port Klang police station. — KK SHAM/The Star
KLANG: Authorities have foiled an international drug syndicate’s attempt to smuggle methamphetamine worth RM1.06bil in one of the country’s biggest drug bust in recent years following a raid in Port Klang.
The drugs-filled paraffin candles were smuggled in 166 barrels placed in cargo containers that were bound for Sydney, Australia.
Investigations showed the cargo containers were from Iran, said Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Deputy Comm Mat Zani@Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali.
He said the drug bust was possible due to cooperation between the NCID and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
“We received information that two shipping containers from Iran, which transited in Port Klang and bound for Sydney, contained methamphetamine.
“The containers were registered under materials to process cosmetic products and candles,” he told reporters at Port Klang police station yesterday.
DCP Mat Zani said an NCID team inspected the blue and red containers, which were kept at a warehouse in Port Klang at about 11am on Jan 25.
“We seized 166 barrels filled with 33,200kg of methamphetamine from the containers.
“The drugs were worth about RM1.06bil and it could have been supplied to 166 million drug addicts,” he said.
DCP Mat Zani said the NCID, AFP and other counterparts, will work together to investigate the syndicate further.
“We will collect actionable intelligence to identify remnants of the syndicate and other international organisations involved in international drug smuggling, especially those using cargo containers,” he said.
DCP Mat Zani said the reason police took nearly two months to reveal the news to the media was to facilitate further investigations and arrests by the AFP.
“We could not immediately announce the seizure, as we did not want to tip-off the syndicate that was waiting to receive the consignment in Australia,” he said, adding that the NCID will continue to combat the drug menace.
“However, we need the cooperation of the public to provide information on drug related activities.
“The public can contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222,” he said.
In 2019, the biggest drug haul in the country’s history was recorded when 12 tonnes of black cocaine worth RM2.4bil were seized at the North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang in an operation codenamed Ops Eagle.
An international syndicate was involved in using Malaysia as a transit point to ship the drugs, believed to be from South America, to other countries.
