Sabtu (second left) shows one of the packets of drug.
The case investigating officer Inspector Omar Kamal (second right) and his personnel arranging the seized drugs for the press conference.
MIRI: Preliminary investigation by the police has revealed that the six suitcases seized at Miri Airport on Thursday morning were registered under several individuals, believed to be ‘friends’ of the suspect that was nabbed that day. The drugs were sealed in packages labelled with a drink brand from Taiwan.
“However, police are still investigating to ascertain whether the label is genuine (from Taiwan or elsewhere),” said State Commissioner of Police Datuk Seri Muhammad Sabtu Osman during a press conference at the police headquarters here yesterday.
Also present were Miri deputy police chief Supt Stanley Jonathan Ringgit and state Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) chief Supt Lukas Akit.
However, when asked on how many persons were involved, Sabtu declined to comment.
“It is too early for us to give you all the details … as the police are still investigating from all angles including studying the Miri Airport’s closed circuit-television (CCTV) footage,” he said.
“We believe that the suspect did not come alone to the airport with those suitcases that morning, and we hope through the CCTV footage we will manage to see his ‘friends’ and identify them,” he elaborated.
On the seized drug (Syabu), he said it was a grade ‘A’ type. The seizure was the third in the state this year, after two successful drug hauls in Kuching International Airport.
“This is the biggest haul in Sarawak’s history with seizures weighing at 115.8kg with estimated market value of RM21 million,” said Sabtu. He also said investigation was still on-going to determine whether the suspect was a ‘runner’ or drug dealer.
“Urine test conducted on the suspect revealed that he was positive for drug (Ketamine),” said Sabtu.
The suspect has been remanded for seven days from yesterday until Dec 12. Yesterday morning, a team of narcotics police went to the suspect’s house to conduct further investigation. The case is investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1952.
On a related matter, Sabtu condemned several social media users for immediately posting the incident on Facebook minutes after the suspect was nabbed at the Miri Airport.
“It was an irresponsible act,” he said. On Thursday morning, at 10.40am, the 21-year-old suspect, an offshore worker, was nabbed after Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) staff became suspicious when seeing him with the suitcases at the check-in counter.According to sources, the suspect offered them RM1.2 million to let him go.