SIBU: Police have arrested a 57-year-old man who acted as a runner and storekeeper for a drug trafficking syndicate, seizing 3.09kg of methamphetamine worth RM117,598.22.
Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili said the suspect was detained during an operation on Wednesday (Oct 22) at a house in Lorong Rejang Park, where police discovered 2.06kg of methamphetamine.
“Subsequent investigations led to another raid at a courier service premises in Jalan Maju, where officers found a further 1.04kg of methamphetamine believed to have been sent from Peninsular Malaysia,” he said at a press conference on Friday.
ACP Zulkipli said the bust dealt a major blow to a syndicate believed to have been operating in Sibu since April this year.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect acted as both a runner and storekeeper. The syndicate used courier services to move their supplies from Peninsular Malaysia into the local market,” he said.
A urine test on the suspect returned positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine. He also has three prior cases in his criminal record under the Open Gambling Houses Act and the Penal Code.
The suspect has been remanded for six days from Oct 23 to 29 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death.
ACP Zulkipli said the success of the operation was the result of strong cooperation between the Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in their joint effort to curb drug trafficking, which remains a serious threat to national security.
“The police remain steadfast in dismantling drug networks to safeguard current and future generations,” he said, urging the public to channel any information on drug activities via the Bukit Aman JSJN Hotline at 012-2087222 or the Sarawak JSJN Hotline at 017-5929211.
