Kuala lumpur: Increased security measures at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) are believed to have prompted international drug syndicates to seek alternative routes, including using Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas to smuggle drugs to the European market. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said this was among the findings from Op Lejogaster, which successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle about 270 kilogrammes of cannabis worth RM21.62 million to the international market.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation, conducted from July 12 to Aug 3 based on continuous intelligence gathering and surveillance by Bukit Aman NCID, also resulted in the arrest of nine suspects, comprising eight foreign men and a local man, aged between 22 and 51. Hussein stated, "When KLIA becomes 'hot', they may use other airports. These syndicates are always looking for opportunities and will exploit every avenue available, whether by land, sea or air," during a press conference on the NCID's success in busting an international drug trafficking syndicate.
Hussein reported that the operation involved three separate raids in Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor. Police also rescued four foreign nationals who were believed to be at risk of being exploited as drug mules by the syndicate. The first raid on July 12 in front of a hotel lobby in Bayan Lepas, Penang, led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of two bags containing 60 packets of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 31.7 kilogrammes from a Mazda CX-5.
Following the arrest, a search of a house in Bayan Lepas uncovered another 60 packets containing cannabis buds weighing about 31 kilogrammes. Further intelligence led to the second raid on Aug 3 at a house in Taman Bukit Citra, Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, resulting in the arrest of a man and the seizure of 10 bags containing 170 packets of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 175.8 kilogrammes. Subsequently, five more foreign men were arrested in Sepang, Selangor, including four who were believed to have been recruited as drug mules by the syndicate.
On the same day, the third raid was conducted at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, resulting in the arrest of another foreign man and the seizure of two bags containing 60 packets of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 31.6 kilogrammes. From these three raids, about 270 kilogrammes of cannabis buds and a small amount of methamphetamine for personal use were seized, with the total value estimated at RM21.62 million.
Hussein revealed that investigations found the syndicate had been active since April and obtained its cannabis buds supply from a neighbouring country before bringing it into Malaysia through the northern borders of Peninsular Malaysia. The drugs were temporarily stored at several terrace houses near airports in Bayan Lepas and Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, before being handed over to drug mules to be taken out through international airports.
According to Hussein, the mastermind of the syndicate is a Portuguese man who coordinated its activities from Europe, including bringing individuals to Malaysia to serve as drug mules to transport the cannabis buds to the European market. Of the eight foreign nationals arrested, five are suspected to be from Portugal based on their passports, one is from Myanmar and two are Singaporeans.
"Most of their routes were through Bayan Lepas and KLIA, with some travelling directly while others transited in Singapore. Most routes were to London, where another syndicate would receive them," Hussein said. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which, upon conviction, carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes.