Kuala Perlis: Perlis Customs (JKDM) successfully thwarted a smuggling operation involving 363 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at over RM11 million during a patrol in the waters off Kuala Perlis near here on Monday. The operation took place when a glass-fibre boat, lacking a registration number, was detected speeding from Thai waters towards Kuala Perlis and Sungai Baru by a team of Kuala Perlis Customs marine enforcement personnel at approximately 3 am.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perlis Customs director Ismail Hashim revealed that despite efforts to intercept the vessel and instruct it to halt, the boat continued its course towards shallower waters. The customs team subsequently discovered the boat abandoned in the waters of Sungai Siput, Kuala Perlis. It is suspected that the driver and several others on board fled to land before the interception.
Upon inspecting the abandoned vessel, enforcement personnel found 18 white sacks and one green sack containing packages suspected to be methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of RM11,616,000. Ismail Hashim shared these details during a press conference held at the Customs Marine branch in Kuala Perlis.
In addition to the drugs, the boat and its engine, valued together at an estimated RM85,000, were confiscated. Ismail further elaborated on the syndicate’s tactics, explaining that their modus operandi involved smuggling drugs during the early hours to evade detection. The seized drug supply was believed to be destined for the Malaysian market. The case is currently under investigation under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.