Two Nigerians nabbed for RM2.41 million Syabu hidden in tapioca, sweet potatoes

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DEADLY TUBERS: Kadir (right) shows some tapioca and sweet potatoes containing Syabu. — Bernama photo

SHAH ALAM: Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, was once quoted as crediting the humble tapioca as the ‘secret diet’ behind the Jamaican’s phenomenal international athletics feats.

Last Saturday and yesterday morning, the tuber crop played separate ‘international’ roles at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

However, it had nothing to do with athletics — and everything to do with narcotics.

In each incident, the police stopped a Nigerian man carrying a plastic bag containing tapioca and sweet potatoes.

Hidden inside both the tuber crops were 11 small packages containing the party drug, syabu, better known as ‘ice’, and worth about RM2.41 million in street value.

Selangor Anti-Narcotics Crime Division chief Assistant Commissioner Nordin Kadir said yesterday, the Nigerians, aged 31 and 32, were detained to facilitate investigations into the seizure of the Syabu weighing 9.64kg.

“Based on their modus operandi, we believe the two suspects were members of an international drug trafficking syndicate.

“Upon questioning, the duo said they had brought the tapioca and sweet potatoes here, following a request from friends,” he said, describing the new tactic of smuggling drugs as novel.

Nordin said marks on the tapioca and sweet potatoes showed that the tubers were cut open, inserted with packets of Syabu and made whole again, using wire. — Bernama