Kuala Perlis:Perlis The Perlis Royal Malaysian Customs Department has seized drugs, kratom leaves, and an imported car suspected of evading customs duties, with a total estimated value of RM286,496, including taxes, between August and October.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perlis Customs director Mohammad Furiman Hattar stated that the department confiscated 61.42 kilograms of cannabis in Kuala Perlis on August 28 and October 19, with an estimated value of RM191,544. On August 28, officials discovered 25 compressed blocks of suspected cannabis, valued at RM75,000, near Sungai Kuala Perlis. Later, on October 19, another 35 compressed blocks worth RM116,544 were seized at the Pulau Batu Layang jetty. The investigation is ongoing under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The suspected modus operandi involved leaving the drug packages, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand, at designated locations for pickup. Additionally, 1,001 kilograms of kratom leaves, valued at RM10,010, were seized from a Malaysian-registered Mitsubishi Pajero in Chuping on October 30. The vehicle, found abandoned, had been pursued by the Padang Besar Narcotics Unit.

In another operation, a Mini Cooper S Clubman suspected of using a fake registration number and not being customs-cleared was seized in Bayan Lepas, Penang, on October 28. The vehicle, valued at RM33,000 with duties of RM51,942, is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

The Perlis Customs Department recorded 12 drug seizure cases from January to October this year, with a total value of RM28,378,451.20.