Bayan Lepas:Penang Police have arrested a local man at Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, seizing 40 kilograms of cannabis buds valued at RM3.2 million. The arrest, made on October 18, occurred during a raid targeting alleged drug smuggling activities to London.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng reported that the 28-year-old suspect, originally from Miri, Sarawak, was detained around 5 pm in the airport's waiting area. A search of his luggage led to the discovery of the drugs. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect was acting as a 'drug mule' under instructions to transport the drugs to London, marking his first attempt at cross-border drug smuggling by air. The suspect reportedly accepted RM9,000 for the task.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect, currently unemployed, tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine during an initial urine screening. A background check showed he has two prior criminal records.
In a separate incident, Lim disclosed that police apprehended three individuals, including a Chinese national woman, during a raid at an apartment in Jelutong. The operation resulted in the seizure of various drugs with an estimated value of RM1.05 million. A 26-year-old local man was first detained with a small quantity of ketamine, followed by the arrest of the Chinese national woman on the 10th floor, suspected of processing and distributing drugs.
A subsequent search uncovered seven kilograms of MDMA powder, Erimin-5 pills, ketamine, and liquid methamphetamine, along with equipment for repackaging MDMA. The woman is believed to have overseen the repackaging process for distribution. Another local man, aged 44, suspected of purchasing drugs, was also arrested at the scene.
Urine tests indicated two suspects tested positive for ketamine and one for cannabis, with all three having past criminal and narcotics-related records. They are currently remanded for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.