NILAI: A 37-year-old karaoke centre owner was detained on Oct 13 for possessing 20kg of ketamine, said the Customs Department today.
Deputy Director General of Customs in charge of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Datuk Zulkifli Yahya, said the suspect was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport upon arriving from India.
He said the drugs, valued at about RM900,000, were discovered in two separate packets stashed in the suspect’s baggage.
“The suspect claimed that the drugs were turmeric powder used to make health drinks.
“But, tests conducted by the Chemistry Department confirmed that the powder is ketamine,” he said.
Zulkifli said urine tests showed that the suspect was positive for drugs.
The suspect is being remanded for 14 days until Nov 6 to assist with the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries mandatory death penalty if convicted.
Zulkifli also said the Customs Department is investigating whether the suspect is a drug mule.