SHAH ALAM: Police have crippled nine drug trafficking syndicates in 10 raids at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and around Sepang, seizing 418kg of cannabis worth RM33.4mil and nabbing 12 suspects.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the raids were conducted between Aug 28 and Sept 21, involving eight cases at KLIA terminals and two around Sepang.
He said the suspects comprised one local man, four foreign men and seven foreign women, aged 17 to 62.
“Police seized 671 plastic packets containing compressed chunks believed to be cannabis, with a total estimated weight of 418kg and a value of RM33.4mil.
Also seized two vehicles and assorted foreign currencies worth a total of RM37,700,” he said at a press conference here on Wednesday (Sept 23).
Comm Shazeli said checks showed all the foreign suspects had entered Malaysia using social visit passes, and none of the suspects had previous criminal records.
According to him, all the foreign suspects were believed to be drug mules, while the local suspect was believed to have acted as a drug runner.
“They were offered trips to Malaysia and, upon arrival, were instructed to bring back luggage that clearly did not belong to them.
“The drugs were hidden inside the luggage,” he said.
He said six suspects had been charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while the remaining six were still under remand to assist investigations.
The amount of cannabis seized was estimated to be enough to supply 1.39 million users at one time, based on an estimated consumption of 0.3g per person.
“The arrests and seizures show that large-scale, active and organised drug trafficking syndicates continue to pose a serious threat to the public.
“Police, particularly the Selangor contingent, will continue to intensify enforcement action without compromise,” he said.
Comm Shazeli also urged the public not to act as drug couriers by accepting offers to carry luggage or goods belonging to others without knowing their contents.
“Do not be easily lured by promises of lucrative payments, as such actions could have serious legal consequences,” he said.
