Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Customs busted a drug syndicate using airlines and courier services to smuggle illicit substances into the state, seizing over 61kg of drugs worth more than RM3 million in raids at Tawau International Airport and a warehouse on May 11.
State Customs Director Dr Ahmad Taufik Sulaiman said the biggest seizure involved 57.27kg of methamphetamine valued at RM2.86 million in four pieces of luggage at the airport.
In a press conference, he said officers detected suspicious items during baggage screening at about 1.35pm before uncovering 142 plastic packets believed to contain methamphetamine during a physical inspection.
Authorities believe the syndicate used courier services to conceal the drugs in plastic packets before packing them into luggage bound for Tawau.
Officers on duty spotted suspicious items in four suitcases during a scan at the Aviation Post screening facility at about 1.35pm.
“A physical inspection was conducted on the bags and inside, 142 plastic bags filled with what was believed to be meth were found,” Ahmad said.
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Earlier, at around 1pm, Customs officers also seized a parcel containing more than 4.6kg of meth worth about RM233,900 at the Kota Kinabalu aviation post warehouse.
In that case, Ahmad said the drugs were hidden inside parcels before being packed into boxes intended for delivery to Semporna through courier services.
On May 8, Customs officers also seized 375g of ecstasy pills worth RM56,250 from the same warehouse. The drugs had been concealed in parcels labelled as electronic goods.
“All three cases will be investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 where offenders could face the death penalty or a life sentence, with whipping, upon conviction,” he said.
Ahmad said the department would continue its efforts to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activities. He also urged the public to provide information through the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or at the nearest Customs office.
