ALOR SETAR: Police have seized 14.63kg of ganja buds worth an estimated RM1.17mil from a car at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.
Deputy Kedah police chief Deputy Comm Baderulhisham Baharudin (pic) said the 24-year-old Malaysian driver of the car, a student at a private higher education institution in Kuala Lumpur, was also arrested during the operation on Monday (June 15).
"An inspection of the suspect's family-owned four-wheel-drive vehicle led to the discovery of 13 black plastic packages containing substances believed to be ganja buds, hidden beneath the rear passenger seat.
"The total value of the seizure is RM1.17mil," he told a press conference at the Kedah police contingent headquarters on Tuesday (June 16) night.
He said preliminary investigations found that the suspect was believed to have acted as a courier for a drug smuggling syndicate that obtained its supply from a neighbouring country for distribution in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.
"The syndicate would get its supplies from the Danok area in Thailand, concealing them beneath the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, and bring them into Malaysia through the ICQS Complex.
"The suspect claimed he became involved in the activity on May 25 and admitted smuggling drugs into the country on four previous occasions ... for RM4,000 per delivery," he said.
DCP Baderulhisham said investigations were underway to identify the syndicate's full network, including the source of supply, distribution chain and other individuals involved.
"The suspect, who also tested positive for ganja, has been remanded for six days until Sunday (June 21) to assist investigations.
"The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and caning upon conviction.
"Kedah police will continue to intensify enforcement operations, particularly at the country's entry points, to curb drug smuggling activities.
"Public cooperation is greatly appreciated in providing any information related to drug trafficking and smuggling activities to the police," he said.
He added that information can be channelled to any nearby police station or through the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department hotline at 012-2087222. – Bernama
