KANGAR: The Perlis Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized drugs, kratom leaves and an imported car suspected of having evaded duties with a total estimated value of RM286,496 between August and October.
State Customs director Mohammad Furiman Hattar said the department seized 61.42kg of cannabis, valued at RM191,544, in Kuala Perlis on Aug 28 and Oct 19.
"Twenty-five compressed blocks of suspected cannabis, packed in two gunny sacks and weighing a total of 25kg, valued at RM75,000, were found at an abandoned platform near Sungai Kuala Perlis, close to Taman Pelangi, Kuala Perlis, at about 9.30pm on Aug 28," he told a press conference at the Perlis Customs Complex here on Tuesday (Nov 10).
"A further 35 blocks weighing a total of 36.42kg, valued at RM116,544, were seized at the Pulau Batu Layang jetty in Kuala Perlis at about 8.15pm on Oct 19.
"The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952."
Furiman said the suspected modus operandi was to leave the packages containing the drugs, believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand, at the platform and jetty to be collected by other individuals.
Meanwhile, 1,001kg of kratom leaves worth RM10,010, packed in 31 white sacks, were seized from a Malaysian-registered sport utility vehicle in Chuping, near Padang Besar, at about 9.30am on Oct 30.
Furiman said the vehicle was spotted travelling at high speed through a kenaf plantation along the route leading to Jalan Keselamatan Sempadan Malaysia-Thailand in Lembah Chuping.
An operations team from the Padang Besar Narcotics Unit pursued the vehicle into a forested area in Lembah Chuping, where it was eventually located with the help of two other teams.
"The vehicle was found unlocked and abandoned, with no driver in sight.
"The driver is believed to have fled to avoid arrest.
"A search uncovered 31 white sacks containing green leaves suspected to be kratom leaves believed to have been bound for Thailand," he said.
In another case, Furiman said the department seized an imported car, believed to be using a fake registration number and not cleared by Customs, in Bayan Lepas, Penang, at about 4pm on Oct 28.
The vehicle was estimated to be worth RM33,000, with duties amounting to RM51,942, and the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Furiman said the department recorded 12 drug seizure cases from January to October, with a total value of RM28,378,451.20. – Bernama
