M'sian Held In Brunei Over 100kg Syabu Bust Has Criminal Record - Police

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian man arrested by Brunei authorities with more than 100 kilogrammes (kg) of suspected syabu at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post along the Brunei-Miri border on Oct 31 has two previous criminal records.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the 46-year-old suspect from Miri was believed to be on his way to Sabah when he was detained.

He said the department received information from Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) regarding the arrest of the man, along with about 100kg of suspected syabu valued at an estimated RM5 million.

"Information from Brunei's NCB revealed that the man was arrested while entering the country from Miri, Sarawak, and was believed to have used the sultanate as a transit route before re-entering Malaysia," he said when contacted here today.

Hussein said preliminary investigations found the suspect was expected to travel through Kuala Belait, Seria, Tutong, and Bandar Seri Begawan before heading to Temburong across the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge.

He said the man was believed to have planned to re-enter Sarawak through the Labu-Mengkalap route before proceeding to Sabah through Merapok-Sindumin.

"NCID will continue intelligence cooperation with Brunei's NCB to identify the drug supply source and any possible links to syndicates in Malaysia," he said.

Earlier, Brunei authorities reported the seizure of 102.19kg of syabu concealed in 100 tea packets at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post, estimated at BND2.8 million, marking the largest drug haul ever recorded at the border checkpoint.

Apart from the syabu, Brunei authorities also seized four Erimin 5 pills, cash comprising RM1,180, SGD10, BND10, and 500 baht, two mobile phones, and a vehicle believed to have been used in the smuggling activity.

-- BERNAMA