KLIA Customs seizes drugs worth RM1.37 mln in 2 cases

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SEPANG: The KL International Airport (KLIA) Customs foiled two attempts by foreigners to smuggle 7.19kg of methamphetamine through the airports here late last month and last Wednesday.

The drug seized in the two incidents was worth about RM1.37 million.

KLIA Customs director Datuk Chik Omar Chik Lim said a Nigerian man’s attempt to smuggle drugs on Jan 31 at the KLIA was foiled while a woman from China was nabbed over a similar offence, four days later at the KLIA2.

In the first case, he said 5.3kg of drugs valued at RM1.07 million were found concealed in 25 small pouches after a scan of the man’s baggage from Lagos, Nigeria indicated suspicious-looking images.

“While the modus operandi of the Nigerian was still the same, that is, hiding the drugs in the baggage, the approach was slightly different as the suspect made transits to several domestic airports upon arrival at KLIA.

“In this case, the suspect was found on transit to Miri before taking the flight to Mulu in Sarawak.

“Perhaps, the man was aware that the airport in Mulu has no scanning machine, as well as not many customs officers were on duty…but he was not so lucky when his baggage arrived late at the KLIA and took time to be sent to Mulu,” Chik Omar told a media conference at his office here yesterday.

He said the suspect was believed to have arrived from Lagos on Jan 29 before transiting to Miri and Mulu and returned to KLIA from Miri, the next day.

He said attempts by the airline to contact the passenger were unsuccessful and investigations revealed the Nigerian had left Malaysia on Feb 2.

In the second case on Feb 4, a 23-year-old woman from China who flew from Hong Kong was detained upon her arrival at KLIA2 at 12.30am after a scan found drugs weighing 1.89kg and worth RM359,100 in her baggage.

The suspect has been remanded under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction. — Bernama