SUBANG JAYA: The arrest of a motorcyclist with 0.21kg of ganja concealed in a black waist bag led the police to uncover a stash of ganja weighing 35.7kg meant for distribution to drug users around the Klang Valley.
Subang Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Azlan Wan Mamat said the seizure of the drugs was done following an arrest of a local man by the district's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) on May 10.
"At approximately 11.20 pm, a team of policemen from the Subang Jaya NCID arrested a local man who was behaving suspiciously, riding his motorcycle on Jalan USJ 4/1, Subang Jaya. Police seized approximately 210g of ganja concealed in a black waist bag.
"Following this arrest, the suspect led the police to a house in the Petaling Jaya area, where they seized an additional 35.7kg of suspected ganja."
He said that the ganja is believed to be intended for the Klang Valley market where its street value was approximately RM300 per 10 grams.
"The seized ganja could be packaged into around 3,500 packets with a total street value of RM1.05 million.
Wan Azlan said the suspect, aged 32, works as a customer service officer at a freight forwarding company and has no prior criminal record entries.
"The suspect's modus operandi was distributing the ganja through known associates and he has been operating since early this year.
"The police also conducted a urine screening test on the suspect which it returned positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), indicating ganja use."
Wan Azlan said following the arrest, the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 where if convicted, the suspect faces the death penalty or life imprisonment and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
"In line with the investigation, action was also taken under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, in which police also seized RM1,270.00 in cash and two vehicles valued at RM10,000.00.
"The suspect is also remanded for seven days until May 17 under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code," he told reporters at a press conference, here, today.
Wan Azlan said from Jan 1 to May 14, the Subang Jaya district police headquarters successfully made 901 arrests for offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952.
"The breakdown of drug seizures includes 95.5g heroin, 41,399.56g ganja, 11,299.0g methamphetamine, 552.9g ecstasy, 137.9g Erimin 5 pills, 20.11g yaba pills, 32.3l ketum juice, and 0.5l codeine.
"The total estimated value is RM618,463.00."
As such, Wan Azlan said the police welcomed information from the public on criminal activities, especially those related to drugs, to the police via the hotline at 012-2087222 to eradicate drug distribution and abuse activities.