KUCHING: For two Miri men, whom police say are suspected runners for a Johor-based drug syndicate, their second run to bring drugs into Kuching proved fateful and could cost them their lives.
On Sept 28, officers from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department were waiting for them at the Kuching International Airport as they flew in from Johor Baru.
They were caught with 32,730g of illicit Erimin 5 in their suitcases.
Sarawak acting police commissioner Deputy Comm Saifullizan Ishak said the suspects - a 25-year-old unemployed man and 39-year-old fisherman - had been successful on their first run, for which they were each paid RM5,000.
The duo were charged on Oct 7 under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 at the magistrate's court in Kuching and if convicted, they face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
If not sentenced to death, they will also be subject to whipping of not less than 12 strokes.
DCP Saifullizan said both men have criminal records and the drugs they brought in have a street value of RM3.3mil, enough to feed the habit of 163,650 users.
In a press conference at Sarawak police headquarters here on Friday (Oct 9), he said the syndicate, believed to have been active since August this year, used local runners to transport the drugs for distribution in Kuching via commercial flights.
DCP Saifullizan said police records showed the 25-year-old has three criminal records – one drug-related – while the 39-year-old has two criminal records.
He added urine screening showed the 25-year-old tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and benzodiazepine while the 39-year-old tested negative for drugs.
"This operation represents a significant success for the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department in crippling drug trafficking networks and reflects our continuous commitment to fighting the drug threat comprehensively.
"The Narcotics Crime Investigation Department will continue to intensify enforcement actions through firm, aggressive, focused and high-impact operations to trace, suppress and paralyse drug trafficking networks at all levels," he added.
Meanwhile, on the arson and vandalism of convenience stores in several towns in the state, Dep Comm Saifullizan said police are seeking eight men to assist the investigation.
To date, five men have been arrested in relation to the incidents.
He appealed to members of the public with any information on the men to contact the police.
The attacks on the convenience stores started on Sept 20 in Kuching and Sri Aman.
A business dispute, including disagreements allegedly linked to online gambling credit sales, is believed to be the main motive behind the attacks.
