ALOR SETAR: Police have seized 45.5kg of cannabis worth over RM1.6mil and arrested two men suspected of smuggling them into the country at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex on Wednesday (May 14).
Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the suspects, a 29-year-old local man and a Thai national in his 50s, were arrested at 5pm, before police discovered 80 compressed packets believed to contain cannabis in a pickup truck bearing Thai licence plates that the suspects were travelling in.
"Further checks uncovered two suitcases placed in the cargo area, each containing 40 transparent compressed plastic packets filled with dried leaves suspected to be cannabis buds.
"The total seizure is estimated to be worth RM1.6mil on the black market. In Thailand, the price is around 100,000 Baht per kg, while in Malaysia it is valued at RM36,000 per kg.
“We believe their modus operandi involves the use of luggage bags. If we hadn't inspected the bags, they could have passed through as they used a legitimate entry route," he said in a press conference here on Thursday.
He added that this is the first cannabis seizure in Kedah this year, and investigations show that the drugs were likely intended for distribution in the Klang Valley and Johor.
Investigations also revealed that the local suspect acted as a drug transporter and admitted to smuggling drugs from Thailand into Malaysia multiple times via the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Sungai Golok, Kelantan borders, for payments ranging from RM1,000 to RM2,000 per trip.
"The suspect also has three prior drug-related offences, and a urine test confirmed he was positive for methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the Thai man, who works as a taxi driver in Danok, Thailand, tested negative and has no criminal record," he said.
Fisol said both suspects are currently remanded for seven days until May 21 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He added that following the arrests, police have tracked down other individuals believed to be the masterminds of the smuggling syndicate, and the Johor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) successfully apprehended two more suspects on Thursday.
He added that a man in his 30s with seven prior narcotics offences and other criminal convictions, and a 38-year-old woman with no prior record, were arrested on Thursday in Johor to be brought to Kedah for further investigation.
"We are not just focusing on distribution and drug abuse, but also on the supply chain. This is a significant success for the Kedah police contingent," he added. - Bernama
