Sahar Abdul Latif
MIRI: A private college student was arrested here last Thursday for allegedly trafficking cannabis worth RM12,000.
The 19-year-old suspect, who is a full-time student, was nabbed by a police team from the State Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) in front of an eatery in Permyjaya around 1.30pm.
State NCID head Supt Sahar Abdul Latif, who confirmed the arrest, said a total of 801 grammes of cannabis was seized from the suspect.
“The suspect was detained in his car in front of the eatery outlet in Permyjaya. Upon checking, the police found 532 grammes of cannabis in his possession,” he said during a press conference held at Miri police headquarters here yesterday
The student then led the police to his house in Desa Pujut where a further 269 grammes of cannabis was seized.
“Our initial investigation shows that the suspect had been actively selling the drugs for the past seven months,” said Sahar, adding the student is believed to have accomplices.
“We believe he is not running the business alone. We will hunt them (accomplices) down. That is our aim,” he stressed.
The police also confiscated RM1,800 in cash from the student, who has been remanded for seven days until May 25 to facilitate further investigation.
Meanwhile, in a separate drug bust, Sahar disclosed that police arrested an unemployed man in Sibu on May 20 for alleged possession of drugs worth RM23,450.
The 36-year-old suspect was picked near a hotel at Jalan Maju around 9.15pm.
“The police seized 15.17 grammes of powdered Ecstasy and 3.67 grammes of ketamine from the suspect.
“He later led the police to a house in Jalan Hua Kiew where a further 1,288.02 grammes of powdered Ecstasy, six Ecstasy pills, 30 Eramin 5 pills, and 2.72 grammes of ketamine were seized,” he added.
Both cases have been classified under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug trafficking, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
On another note, Sahar disclosed that 23 suspected drug dealers have been arrested in the state as of May 21 this year.
“We are targeting more arrests of drug dealers by year-end. Last year, only 23 drug dealers were arrested from January to December,” he said.