NILAI, Aug 7 — The Royal Malaysian Customs Department scored a major success when it seized 88 kg of cocaine estimated to be worth RM17.6 million in a raid at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Air Cargo Complex, Sepang, Selangor on Aug 1.
Customs Director-General Datuk Zazuli Johan said in the 8pm raid, a team from the Narcotics Branch of the Customs Department headquarters seized four boxes containing 995 glass bottles containing capsules suspected to contain cocaine.
"The inspection also found vehicle spare parts, such as car brake discs in each box. The syndicate tried to hide or obscure the shipment from the authorities by declaring the shipment as containing supplements.
"This is the first time that a syndicate has tried to use such a method. The syndicate also used a fake company name as the receiving company in the air waybill."
He said the initial investigation found the merchandise was imported from the Netherlands with the KLIA Cargo Complex being the final destination with the drug supply being for domestic distribution.
Zazuli said the investigation also found the importer had used false information in the import documents, which made it difficult to arrest the importer.
"However, investigations are underway to track down a suspect, who is believed to be a local citizen under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said, adding that from January to July, a total of 382 drug cases involving seizures valued at RM180.5 million had been succeaafully thwarted.
Ecstasy pills were the most seized drug valued at RM96.2 million followed by cocaine with seizures worth RM61.6 million and methamphetamines which w3 valued at RM10. 5 million.
According to Zazuli, the total weight of the seized drugs, 19,996.4 kgcould be used to prepare 440,000 doses, he has urged the public to cooperate by channeling information related to the smuggling activities of drugs and other contraband items by contacting the Customs Toll Free Line 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest Customs office, adding that informant’s details and identities will be kept confidential.
— Bernama
