KOTA KINABALU: Three men were arrested in two separate operations in the east coast Lahad Datu district following the seizure of 25 kilograms of suspected ketum powder and 18.84g of syabu (methamphetamine).
Lahad Datu district police chief Asst Comm Dzulbaharin Ismail said the arrests were carried out by the police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
He said in the first operation, two men were detained at about 11.10am on Friday (Feb 6) along Jalan Reno Fajar after police stopped a car in front of a courier service premises based on intelligence.
“Inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of a gunny sack containing 25 transparent plastic packets, suspected to be filled with ketum powder.
“The total weight of the ketum powder is estimated at 25,000g, with a value of about RM2,125. The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 7).
In the second operation, he said, a local man was arrested during a raid at a house in Jalan Cempaka at about 4pm the same day, where five transparent plastic packets containing clear crystalline substances suspected to be syabu, weighing 18.84g, were found.
“Initial urine screening showed the suspect tested positive for drugs. The case is being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act,” he said, adding that further investigations were underway.
