RM376,650 worth of ketamine seized from Indian tourist at KLIA

SEPANG: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) seized 8.37kg of smuggled ketamine drugs valued at RM376,650, from an Indian tourist.
Deputy Director General of Customs and GST, Datuk Zulkifli Yahya said the suspect, a visitor to Malaysia for first time, from Kochi, India, was travelling on a one-way ticket to KL and was detained by KLIA Customs officers as he was going through the scanners.
"The ketamine was hidden in special compartments in his 54 clutch bags.
"The 38-year-old man flew into our country via a Malindo Air flight. Investigations revealed that the white crystal powder found in his 54 clutch bags was ketamine, weighing 8.37kg and worth RM376,650," Zulkifli told a press conference at the KLIA Customs Complex here.
The drugs were meant for local consumption with a local syndicate network involved, he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a death penalty upon conviction.
"The suspect is now being remanded,” said Zulkifli.
In two other separate cases, he said, KLIA Customs also seized undeclared foreign currencies worth 29,000 Euros (RM140,000) from a Yemeni traveller last Wednesday.
He was hiding the money in his pants pockets, said Zulkifli.
The other case last Thursday, he said, involved a husband and wife from Thailand, who had failed to declare RM700,000 that they carried in their luggage.
Zulkifli said large amounts of local currency must have approval from the national bank.
He said they were still investigating the origins of the cash.
The cases will be investigated under Section 135 (1)(a) of Customs Act 1967 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).