KANGAR: The Customs Department has intercepted an attempt to smuggle 22.85kg of cannabis worth about RM2.285mil near the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim said a team of customs personnel and officers from the Padang Besar enforcement unit inspected an empty car with Malaysian registration plates parked at the roadside near the border gate of Padang Besar in Jalan Sadao on June 19 at about 11.30pm.
"Inspection of the car found several black plastic packages underneath and inside the vehicle, along with two backpacks on the rear passenger seat," he said during a press conference at the Padang Besar Customs Enforcement Unit office on Wednesday (June 25).
Further checks on the black plastic packages and backpacks revealed 40 vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packets containing dried plant material suspected to be cannabis, with a total weight of 22.855kg worth about RM2.285mil.
Ismail said checks revealed that the car belongs to a 66-year-old woman living in Padang Besar.
"The woman is not licensed to drive, and we suspect that her 39-year-old son used her car to smuggle the cannabis," he added.
The Customs Department is investigating the case under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He urged the public to assist the Customs Department in combating smuggling crimes and advised against involvement in such activities.
The public can help by providing information on smuggling activities via the Customs Toll-Free Line at 1-800-88-8855 or by contacting the nearest Customs Office in any state, ensuring that all informants’ identities are kept confidential.
