Hamza showing the drugs seized from the Sabahan suspect on Monday night.
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabahan who is just five months away from ending his restricted residence for drug abuse is now facing the death penalty for allegedly trying to smuggle into the state 11 kilogrammes of the crystal-like substance, believed to be methamphetamine.
The 31-year-old man from Keningau was nabbed at Terminal Two Airport in Tanjung Aru upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur at around 10.40pm on Monday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib told reporters yesterday that the smuggled drugs, with an estimated market price of RM3.3 million, were their biggest seizure for 2011.
“We acted based on information from our intelligence. The suspect, who works as a plumber, tried eluding arrest by re-packing the drugs into 13 packets and hiding them in several refined Chinese tea packages and beer and wine boxes, all neatly sealed. He carried them in a sling bag and two luggage bags. He also had RM2,068 cash with him,” said Hamza, adding that a team from narcotics, led by ASP Bahar Pudji, apprehended him and led him to the airport’s police booth for investigation.
The suspect, who has been in operation for the past few months, had smuggled in the drugs for the Sabah market.
Initial investigation revealed that the suspect also tested positive on drugs and has a previous conviction framed under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADD), 1952.
The two-years RR was meted out on him under the Drug Dependent Act, Treatment and Rehabilitation, 1983 by the Malaysian National Anti-Drug Agency, and is expected to end the penalty by May next year.
During the period, the suspect is required to report to the Keningau District Police chief at least once a month and is prohibited to leave the district.
“The suspect has obviously breached the condition. He is currently remanded until Dec 18. He will be investigated under Section 15 (A) (1) DDA, 1952 for consuming drugs which carries a RM5,000 fine or two years’ jail, or both, upon conviction and also Section 39B of the same Act for drug trafficking where he faces the death sentence by hanging, if found guilty,” said Hamza.
Although Hamza said police strongly believed the suspect was involved in a syndicate, they were continuing investigation to establish his links.
“It is irrespective where his links are. If we find that he is involved with a syndicate from Peninsular Malaysia, then we will be working with our counterparts there to trace them down,” he said.
Just a few days back, the Sabah Customs Department nabbed a couple from Penang for smuggling 10 kilogrammes of ketamine from China worth RM132,483 upon their arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The 26-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, who also face the death penalty, were arrested after the drugs, wrapped in white and brown papers, were found in a hidden compartment in their luggage.