Kuala muda: Police seized 62 kilogrammes (kg) of syabu (methamphetamine) at a homestay in Kampung Permatang Rengan, Kota Kuala Muda near here on Tuesday. Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said the seizure was the result of intelligence and a raid conducted at 6.30 pm, after which his team arrested a 47-year-old Indonesian man.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the suspect was arrested along the roadside in the village, and 150 grammes of syabu were seized along with the keys to the homestay, leading to further inspection. A subsequent search revealed 62 kg of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth RM3.1 million, hidden under the bed in one of the rooms at the homestay. The suspect had no previous records, and a urine screening test was negative.
The suspect is believed to have been in the country for the past two to three years, working in the village. Authorities are still investigating the man's travel entry documents. During the homestay inspection, no other individuals were present, and the suspect is believed to have been the storekeeper, receiving around RM116 for each kg of drugs.
Following the arrest, a local couple aged 42 and 32, who were renting the homestay, were also detained to assist in the investigation. Both were arrested in Penaga, Penang at 11 pm on Wednesday. They have no prior criminal records, and urine screening tests were negative.
This raid revealed a new modus operandi where the suspects handle small amounts of drugs to be marketed locally. All the seized drugs can be used by up to 314,000 people, and most are believed to be sent to Indonesia via sea routes. The supplies are thought to have been obtained from the Klang Valley, stored for two days before being moved. The syndicate is believed to have operated for two to three months, with the couple receiving around RM1,500 to RM2,000 for renting out the homestay.
The syndicate's actions involve using local residents to rent homestays to avoid suspicion among owners and residents. This was the third time they had rented a homestay, including two previous rentals in the Penaga area, Penang. Authorities believe there are still others involved, and all suspects have been remanded for seven days from the date of arrest. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.