KUCHING: The enforcement division of the Miri Customs Department on Monday succeeded in foiling the smuggling of 24,594 pills of Ecstasy by postal service in Miri.
According to state Customs director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha in a statement yesterday, a man in his early 20s was arrested at about 9.45am when he was about to leave the Pos Laju Miri premises.
An inspection found that the suspect had taken a package for one Chua L M bearing an address in Taman Desa Seri in Pujut, Miri.
“Examination on a vehicle used by the suspect led to the discovery of 30 packets of crystalline powder suspected to be ketamine drug weighing 26.88g.
“The suspect with the package and his vehicle were detained for further investigation. The estimated value of the seizure was RM1,266,375.20,” she said.
According to her, the modus operandi used to fool the authorities is to put “chocolate” on the consignment note.
Preliminary investigation on the home address used found that the house was occupied by many residents based on the number of vehicles at its compound.
“The house is believed to be a drug-packaging centre for sale and distribution to places all over Sarawak and Brunei.
“Investigations are being carried out to find a number of suspected individuals involved in the distribution,” she explained, adding the case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence, upon conviction.
