Police cripple international drug syndicate, seizing RM1.44 million of methamphetamine hidden in a modified container at West Port, Klang
KLANG: Police have crippled an international drug trafficking syndicate following a major seizure at West Port.
Authorities confiscated RM1.44 million worth of methamphetamine found hidden in a modified container during a raid on November 7.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the operation stemmed from intelligence shared by the Royal Malaysia Police Task Force Tiger and the Australian Federal Police.
“The syndicate is believed to have brought the drugs from the Middle East, using Malaysia as a transit point before shipping them to the Australian market,” he told a media conference at the Port Klang Police Station.
International intelligence had detected suspicious movements of a container transiting through Port Klang.
The container was declared to contain 22 pallets of marble slabs destined for Australia.
Inspection revealed a specially modified space with fresh welding marks in the upper part of the container.
Police discovered 136 transparent plastic packages containing crystal substances believed to be methamphetamine.
The drugs weighed 45 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of RM1.44 million.
Hussein confirmed this marks NCID’s second success this year involving similar container concealment methods.
“We managed to thwart the shipment of the drug to their targeted country,” he said.
He noted that drug traffickers constantly evolve their concealment techniques.
“The specific space was created in the container to conceal the drugs and such a method is slightly different compared to previous cases.”
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
Hussein confirmed no local company was involved in the drug shipment.
The container only stopped at Port Klang for transit before proceeding to its next destination.
He thanked Westports, port authorities, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, and international partners including the Australian Federal Police and Dubai Police Anti-Narcotics Unit for their cooperation.
“Police will not compromise with any parties involved in drug trafficking,” Hussein emphasized.
Authorities will continuously combat drug smuggling to ensure Malaysia is not used as a transit point for such activities. – Bernama
