PONTIAN: Police have uncovered a drug distribution tactic using e-hailing services, following the arrest of a drug mule during an operation on Friday (April 10).
Pontian OCPD Supt Hadzrat Hussien Mion Hussain said a team from the district Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division on Ops Tapis patrol saw a suspicious e-hailing car by the roadside along Jalan Kukup, Kampung Penerok, at about 9.15pm and approached it.
Following an inspection, the team found crystal-like powder, believed to be syabu, weighing about 1,528g and valued at RM69,080.
"A 36-year-old unemployed local man, a passenger in the car, was arrested to facilitate the investigation," he said in a statement on Monday (April 13).
Supt Hadzrat Hussien said the suspect admitted accepting an assignment from a man he befriended while in Simpang Renggam Prison in 2020.
The suspect told police he had been instructed over the phone to pick up and deliver the drugs to a specified location for a RM1,000 fee.
The suspect, who has two drug and criminal offences on his record, had to pick up the drugs from a blue car parked near Tea Garden, Perling.
He then used an e-hailing service to go to the location provided, Supt Hadzrat Hussien added.
Police have obtained an order to remand the suspect under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code for seven days until Friday (April 17) to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The e-hailing driver, a 43-year-old local woman, has been released on police bail.
Police also reminded the public not to accept delivery jobs involving unknown contents or be lured by attractive payments, as such actions could result in becoming an unwitting drug mule. – Bernama
