KOTA KINABALU: Police arrested two men, suspected to be the ringleader and mule of a drug distribution syndicate, and seized 24.5 kilograms of methamphetamine estimated to be worth RM800,000 on Nov 7.
The two suspects, aged 24 and 28, a food delivery rider and insurance agent, were detained by a police team from the Kota Kinabalu Airport Narcotics Unit together with the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department of the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) at two locations around this city.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the first suspect, a local, was arrested immediately upon arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 8.30am.
He said the suspect was found carrying contraband items in his carry-on luggage.
"Acting on intelligence information regarding the activities of the drug distribution syndicate, a police team from the Kota Kinabalu Airport Narcotics Unit together with the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department of the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters conducted monitoring of flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu.
"A 24-year-old man, who is a food delivery rider, was arrested with two baggage bags.
"Further examination uncovered 24.5 kilograms of methamphetamine estimated to be worth RM800,000 based on market prices," he said at a press conference today.
Jauteh said the investigation into the first suspect led to the arrest of the second suspect, a 28-year-old insurance agent who is suspected to be among the ringleaders of the drug distribution syndicate in Sabah.
"For now, police are still conducting further investigations to identify how the suspect obtained the drug supply.
"We are also focusing our investigation on how the suspect was able to bring the drug supply onto flights entering this state.
"With the detention of both suspects, police also seized various items including jewellery, mobile phones, laptops, and cash," he said.
He further stated that this arrest was also a success for the department in dismantling a syndicate that uses public flights.
"Based on the results of the investigation into the first suspect, police do not rule out the possibility of the suspect being involved in past crimes after the suspect admitted to having previously carried drugs worth RM10,000 to a neighbouring state.
"The first suspect is believed to have played the role of a drug mule, meaning the suspect would complete the task of collecting drugs from Kuala Lumpur and delivering them to locations directed by the syndicate.
"The suspect received a fee of RM1,000 for each kilogram of drugs brought into Sabah.
"Investigation results also found that the drug supply brought from the peninsula was meant for the local market, which can be distributed to 81,000 users," he said.
He added that police are also confident that there will be follow-up arrests.
"Both suspects are remanded until Nov 15 and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries mandatory sentences or life imprisonment if convicted," he said.