Customs records RM863,108 drug bust at Miri Airport
by samuel aubrey · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Dec 21): The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak has foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs believed to be methamphetamine, commonly known as syabu, worth RM863,108 at Miri Airport earlier this month.
Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya said the seizure was carried out by enforcement officers from the JKDM Miri station following an inspection at the airport’s arrival hall.
“On Dec 6, at about 8.07pm, Customs officers detained a local man together with a passenger suitcase at the arrival hall of Miri Airport.
“An inspection of the baggage, conducted in the presence of the suspect, led to the discovery of 24 packages disguised as tea products containing crystalline substances believed to be syabu, weighing 24,394g,” he said in a statement today.
Also found in the suitcase were 220 liquid vape cartridges suspected to contain the same drug.
Norizan said the syabu was valued at RM780,608, while the vape cartridges were valued at RM82,500, bringing the overall value of the seizure to RM863,108.
He added that methamphetamine is listed as a dangerous drug under Part III of the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The suspect has been remanded to assist in investigations, which are being conducted under Section 39B(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Norizan said the modus operandi involved concealing the drugs inside tea product packaging placed in passenger luggage in an attempt to evade detection by authorities.
Under Section 39B of the Act, anyone convicted of drug trafficking faces the death penalty or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, may also be punished with not less than 12 strokes of the cane.
He stressed that JKDM Sarawak remains committed to strengthening enforcement against smuggling activities and urged the public to cooperate by providing information on illegal activities, including drug smuggling.
Norizan said members of the public can channel information through the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or contact the nearest Customs office, adding that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.