JKDM seized 4.83 tonnes of drugs worth RM300.7 million in five raids, including Malaysia’s biggest heroin bust at Port Klang
NILAI: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) dismantled an international drug distribution syndicate through five separate cases involving the seizure of various types of drugs weighing 4.83 tonnes, estimated to be worth RM300.7 million, from April to June this year.
Its director-general, Datuk Amran Ahmad, said that this largest seizure involved 3,396.6 kilogrammes (kg) of heroin worth RM169.83 million, which was found in a container at West Port, Port Klang on June 15.
The investigation found that the drugs were hidden in 18,870 boxes of beverages containing a liquid suspected to be heroin. The cargo is believed to have been brought in from a West Asian country in transit before being sent to Australia as the final destination.
“This syndicate uses a modus operandi by making false declarations as food, soap, detergent, hair gel, and sponges to deceive the authorities,” he said at a press conference at the JKDM headquarters here today.
Amran said that the JKDM also seized 161.39 kg of cannabis buds worth RM12.91 million, from 11 cargo cabins containing 269 transparent plastic packages filled with the drugs, during an inspection at a logistics company in the cargo area of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang on May 18.
Amran said that following that, two locals in their 20s and 30s, who are shipping agents, were detained to assist in the investigatione.
He said three more seizure cases involved various types of drugs and psychotropic substances totallnig 6.11 kg, worth RM978,778, methylenedioxy methamphetamine or MDMA (220.3 kg) amounting to RM33.05 million, and cannabis buds (1,049.5 kg), worth RM83.96 million at various locations including KLIA and Port Klang.
All cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Amran added that the biggest success so far proves JKDM’s continuous commitment to combating drug smuggling activities that make Malaysia a transit route.
