Cops cripple international smuggling ring with arrest of two foreigners, syabu worth RM1.7 million seized
Chai showing how the drugs were hidden inside the platform slippers as Lukas (second left) and other NCID offi cers look on.
Chai points to the false plywood bottom of the female suspect’s luggage used to conceal the drug-filled slippers.
KUCHING: Police have crippled an international drug smuggling syndicate following the single largest drug bust in the history of the state yesterday in which nearly 10kg of syabu was seized.
Sarawak deputy police commissioner Dato Dr Chai Khin Chung said the drugs, worth an estimated RM1.7 million, was found in the possession of two Indonesian nationals and believed destined for international markets. “The state Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Customs Department, detained an Indonesian woman upon her arrival at Kuching International Airport at 11.30pm on Wednesday.
“A check of her luggage found approximately 6.5kg of syabu hidden inside the soles of several pairs of platform slippers, which were placed in a hidden compartment of her luggage,” announced Chai during a press conference yesterday. Acting on in formation gathered, police conducted a follow-up operation and arrested an Indonesian man at a hotel in the city at 3.30am yesterday, seizing a further 3.13kg of syabu from him after discovering the drugs hidden inside a piece of luggage.
Initial investigation revealed that both suspects, who are in their 40s, had flown from Hong Kong on separate flights and transited in Kuala Lumpur before arriving here. “We do not believe the suspects knew each other. They are part o f an international drug smuggling syndicate although we are still probing whether they are drug mules or actual members,” said Chai, adding the female suspect had visited Kuching once previously.
The pair was yesterday remanded for seven days until Nov 13 for further investigation, with the case being classified under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
Chai, who expressed his appreciation to the public for information which led to the seizure, hoped for more such information regarding the activities of the syndicate .
“Even though the amount of drugs the state seized is not much, it is still a very serious problem which everyone must work together to eradicate.”
Among those present with Chai at the press conference were state Narcotics Crime Investigation Department head Supt Lukas Aket and his deputy DSP Osman Adam.