NILAI – The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) seized 88 kilogrammes of cocaine estimated to be worth RM17.6 million in a raid at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Complex, Sepang, Selangor on Aug 1.
Its director-general, Datuk Zazuli Johan said in the operation around 8pm, a team of officers from the Narcotics Division of the JKDM headquarters confiscated four crates containing 995 glass bottles suspected to contain cocaine capsules.
He added that the examination also found vehicle spare parts, namely car brake discs, in each of the crates.
“The modus operandi to deceive the authorities was to declare the goods as supplements, while inside were glass bottles containing dangerous drugs and vehicle spare parts.
“This is the first time a syndicate has used such a modus operandi. The syndicate also used a fake company name as the recipient company on the air waybill (document for air cargo delivery),” he said in a media briefing here today.
He further stated that initial investigations revealed the shipment was imported from the Netherlands and landed at KLIA Cargo Complex as its final destination, with the drug supply intended for the domestic market.
Zazuli explained that the investigations also found that the importer used false information in the importation documents, making the arrest more challenging.
“However, investigations are ongoing to identify the suspects believed to be locals under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he added.
Meanwhile, as of last July, he noted that a total of 382 cases of drug procurement across the country had been successfully detected involving seizures valued at RM180.5 million with ecstasy recording the highest value at RM96.2 million, followed by cocaine (RM61.6 million) and methamphetamine (RM10. 5 million).
Based on the total weight of the seized drugs, which was 19,996.4kg, it is estimated that around 440,000 addicts could have been saved.
He thus asked the public to cooperate by providing information on drug smuggling activities and other items such as cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and fireworks by contacting the Customs toll-free line at 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office and assured that their identities will be kept confidential.
— BERNAMA
