Abdul Rahim showing a box of marijuana sezied from Taman Antarabangsa. On the right is Chai.
KOTA KINABALU: The State Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) has seized RM218,000 worth of marijuana, ecstasy pills, ketamine and Erimin 5 pills from a local man believed to be distributing drugs in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang areas.
The seizure included 7,471.39 grams of marijuana, 2,874 ecstasy pills, 541.58 grams of ketamine and 2,050 Erimin 5 pills.
The suspect, a 42-year-old married man, operated his drug business out of his car by delivering drugs to wherever his customers were, for the past three years.
State JSJN chief Superintendent Abdul Rahim Dolmat said the suspect, who claimed to be a car salesman, was detained for a drug-related offence two years ago.
“With the arrest of the man and seizure of four types of drugs, we (JSJN) believe we have thwarted a drug distribution activity in Kota Kinabalu that extended to Penampang district,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Abdul Rahim said an officer and six personnel from JSJN tailed the suspect’s vehicle, a Honda CRV, following a tip-off at 1.15am on April 3.
The suspect, realizing that he was being followed, turned into a junction at Taman Luyang but instead was met with a dead end.
As the suspect alighted from his vehicle, he attempted to dispose of a toolbox from his CRV by placing it on the roadside.
Abdul Rahim said the police searched the suspect’s body but did not find any drugs.
However, inspection on the toolbox disposed by the suspect revealed several types of drugs, namely 31.76 grams of ketamine, 180 Erimin 5 pills, 36.38 grams of marijuana and 64 ecstasy pills.
At 2am on the same day, JSJN personnel raided a house at Taman Antarabangsa along Jalan Tuaran and uncovered more drugs stored at the address by the suspect.
“The police found 509.8 grams of ketamine, 1,870 Erimin 5 pills, 7,435.01 grams of marijuana and 2,810 ecstasy pills.”
He said the police believed the suspect had been using the house at Taman Antarabangsa as a store to keep the drugs.
In total, Abdul Rahim said the police seized 7,471.39 grams of marijuana, 2,874 ecstasy pills, 541.58 grams of ketamine and 2,050 Erimin 5 pills from the suspect.
“According to market price, the drugs seized are worth over RM218,000,” he said.
The marijuana was kept in boxes that were still intact when the police found it while some of the marijuana has been divided into smaller packets. The ketamine was also found in small packets of 50 grams each.
Abdul Rahim said the ecstasy pills, ketamine and Erimin 5 were drugs used in entertainment outlets whereas marijuana was often rolled into cigarette form to be smoked anywhere and in entertainment centres.
The police subsequently raided the suspect’s residence at Vista Minintod in Bundusan where they seized cash and jewellery worth RM115,108.
The suspect’s vehicles, a CRV and a Perodua MyVi were also seized for inspection.
“The total seizure, including drugs, amounted to RM333,108.”
Abdul Rahim said the suspect was also tested positive for marijuana and ketamine in his urine test.
“We believe this man had been distributing drugs in Kota Kinabalu for some time.
“We have been following the developments till his capture on April 3,” he said, adding that the suspect’s business was a one-man show.
The police believe the drugs were sent to Sabah via courier service, possibly from West Malaysia.
“We are still conducting further investigation on the process of sending and receiving (drugs) in Sabah,” Abdul Rahim said.
He said the police would be investigating both raids and the seizure of four varieties of drugs under Section 39A(2) and Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Also present was JSJN officer ASP Chai Yee Siang.