KUCHING: Narcotics police have dismantled a drug distribution syndicate in Miri, resulting in the arrest of six locals and the seizure of methamphetamine valued at RM716,100.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director CP Datuk Khaw Kok Chin said that the syndicate has been active since the beginning of this year and the seized drugs, weighing 21.7kg, could supply around 108,500 individuals.
Last Sunday (Mar 17), a joint team from the Sarawak NCID and Miri NCID raided a residence and apprehended six suspects—four inside the house and two in a car parked outside.
“Further inspections revealed 20 ‘Guan Yin Wang’ tea packets filled with methamphetamine, cleverly hidden inside two gas cylinders to avoid detection by the authorities.
“The arrested individuals, consisting of four men and two women aged between 28 and 50, are being held until Mar 21 to assist with investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“Background checks revealed that only one suspect tested positive for drugs and had a previous record related to cockfighting,” he told a press conference at the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) today (Mar 19).
The operation also led to the confiscation of RM52,000 in cash, jewellery valued at RM54,941.40, and four vehicles. The total value of the seizure, including the drugs, is estimated at RM1.2 million.
Khaw added that the drugs were likely imported into the state from the Peninsula for packaging before being dispatched to the Indonesian market.
“The syndicate is believed to have instructed one of the suspects to recruit others for a fee of RM20,000.
“The suspect was then to enlist additional individuals to collect the drugs and bring them back to the house for packaging, ahead of distribution to the neighbouring country,” he added.
Khaw urged the public to report any drug-related activities in their areas to the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.
Also present were Sarawak Police Commissioner CP Datuk Mancha Ata, Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner DCP Datuk Ibrahim Darus, Bukit Aman NCID Deputy Director (Enforcement/Prevention/Policing) SAC Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali, Sarawak NCID Chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, and Miri Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu.
