Sabah Police Busted Two Trafficking Syndicates, Seize Drugs Worth Over RM3.25 Mln

KOTA KINABALU, May 20 (Bernama) -- Sabah police have crippled two drug trafficking syndicates, including one distributing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) laced vape products, with seizures worth more than RM3.25 million in raids across four districts recently.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the seizures included more than 63 kilogrammes (kg) of syabu, 31 kg of THC liquid, 4.49 grammes of cannabis and one kilogramme of ecstasy powder.

“The first case involved the arrest of a 26-year-old man on May 3 at Taman Heng Long, Jalan Seri Melor Tinagayan, Semporna. Inspections uncovered 15 boxes containing various types of vape products and liquid suspected to contain THC,” he told a press conference here today.

He said the seizure involved 10,000 vape cartridges weighing an estimated 20 kg together with two blue gallon bottles containing liquid suspected to be THC weighing 11 kg, with the total seizure valued at about RM93,000.

According to him several follow-up raids in Kota Kinabalu and Tawau had led to the arrest of three more individuals, comprising a woman and two men aged between 38 and 52, believed to be involved in transactions and delivery operations of vape products and THC liquid.

Jauteh said the second case involved a syabu and ecstasy powder trafficking syndicate following several raids in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Sipitang beginning May 11, where two men were detained inside a Perodua Bezza car parked at Plaza 88 Kepayan in the first operation at 7 pm.

He said upon inspections, two packages suspected to contain syabu weighing two kg were found in the duo’s possession before further interrogation led to the discovery of another 50 packages of suspected syabu weighing 50.95 kg in a rented room at Plaza Grand Millennium, Penampang

“A third raid was carried out at a rented room in Asas Home New World, Penampang, where another 10 kg of syabu and two packets of ecstasy powder were found. Police arrested several more individuals, including a woman believed to have links to the syndicate leader who is still being hunted by authorities,” he said.

According to him, a man believed to be an aide to the syndicate leader was also detained while attempting to flee to Lawas, Sarawak through the Sindumin CIQ Complex.

“The total seizure in this case involved 63.18 kg of syabu, ecstasy powder and ketamine estimated to be worth about RM3.16 million. All the cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction,” he added.

-- BERNAMA