RM1 mln syabu bust, Indonesian held

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KOTA KINABALU: A young suspected Indonesian drug trafficker was arrested along with the seizure of more than 3.14kg of syabu (methamphetamine) which is valued at close to RM1 million.

The 20-year-old suspect was detained by a marine police team while on his way to Sebatik Island from Tawau around noon on Tuesday, August 14.

The marine police were on patrol duty when they spotted a suspicious speed boat and immediately intercepted it, said State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib.

He said the marine police inspected the suspect’s backpack and found three parcels containing 20 plastic packets of syabu each.

“There were a total of 60 plastic packets of drugs that were wrapped in three parcels.

“Initial police investigation show the drugs weighed 3.140 kilograms and valued at RM960,000,” he said at a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kepayan yesterday.

Also present were Crime Investigation Department chief SAC Omar Mammah and

Sabah Narcotics Department head Superintendent Abdul Rahim Dolmat.

Hamza said investigation showed the suspect is an Indonesian from Sungai Nyamuk and believed to have entered the country with a valid pass.

“We believe the suspect might have obtained the drugs from Tawau and was trying to smuggle it to Sebatik Island,” he said.

He said the case is investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the mandatory death penalty on conviction.