TAWAU: A syndicate’s modus operandi using second-hand vehicles to conceal their drugs was busted by a Bukit Aman anti-narcotics team following separate raids in Tawau.
Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said two local men were arrested, following cooperation with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, and the Eastern Sabah Security Command.
He said in the first raid at Batu 15, Jalan Apas, Tawau police uncovered 128 transparent plastic packets containing methamphetamine, weighing 130.60kg in a Toyota Harrier, and two suspects were arrested at the scene.
“Following that, two more vehicles, a Nissan Sylphy and a Toyota Camry, were inspected at Bandar Sri Indah, Batu 10, in Jalan Apas.
“The search found 85 packages of methamphetamine weighing 90.41kg and 488 packets containing liquid suspected to be fentanyl weighing 0.98 litre,” he told a press conference.
Further inspection of the Toyota Camry revealed 99 packages of methamphetamine weighing 102.90kg, he added.
Comm Hussein said the total seizures amounted to 323.91kg of methamphetamine and 0.98 litre of fentanyl, with an estimated value of RM16.34mil.
He said the syndicate is believed to have been active since January, using second-hand vehicles and hiding drugs in concealed compartments.
He said the first suspect acted as a transporter, while the second was believed to be a syndicate member.
“Checks revealed the first suspect had six prior criminal records involving five drug cases and one criminal case. The second suspect had two criminal records,” he said.
Comm Hussein said police also carried out a special operation in Miri, Sarawak, which resulted in the arrest of two men.
He said searches made on two houses resulted in the seizure of RM820,000 in cash and several luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes G-Wagon Brabus, two Ford Mustangs and a Toyota Harrier.
“The syndicate is believed to have been active since June last year, smuggling drug supplies using various methods, including container shipments via sea routes,” he said.
