ALOR SETAR: Police have seized 14.63kg of ganja buds worth an estimated RM1.17mil hidden in a car at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.
Kedah deputy police chief DCP Baderulhisham Baharudin said the 24-year-old Malaysian driver, who is also a student at a private higher education institution in Kuala Lumpur, was arrested during the operation on Monday.
“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, concealed beneath the rear passenger seat.
“The total value of the drug seizure is RM1.17mil. The drugs can be consumed by about 73,150 users and could potentially ruin the lives of hundreds of thousands of people had they reached the market,” he said at a press conference at the Kedah police contingent headquarters on Tuesday night.
He said preliminary investigations found that the suspect was believed to have acted as a courier for a drug smuggling syndicate that brought supplies into Malaysia from a neighbouring country before distributing them in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.
“The suspect claimed he became involved in the activity on May 25 and admitted to having smuggled drugs into the country on four previous occasions, delivering them to locations instructed by the syndicate in return for a RM4,000 delivery fee.”
Baderulhisham said further 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 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 whipping 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, Bernama reported.
He added that members of the public could channel information to any nearby police station or through the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department hotline at 012-208 7222.
