Ipoh:Police have arrested a 29-year-old Singaporean man and seized 19.04 kilograms of drugs, valued at an estimated RM1.52 million, at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) last Sunday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin stated that airport police officers became suspicious when they noticed the unemployed man carrying a piece of luggage during a baggage inspection at the check-in counter. The suspect was scheduled to fly from Ipoh to Singapore before continuing his journey to London, England.
A detailed inspection of the luggage revealed 36 transparent plastic packages containing dried leafy substances suspected to be cannabis flowers, weighing approximately 19.04 kg with an estimated market value of RM1.52 million. Mohd Alwi mentioned that a urine screening test found the suspect negative for drugs, and checks showed no previous criminal record.
The seized drugs could potentially affect up to 47,900 users and are believed to have originated from a syndicate operating in Kajang, Selangor. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had responded to a job offer advertised online, promising a lucrative salary of SG$4,000 (RM12,687) to transport luggage allegedly containing counterfeit branded goods to London.
The syndicate's suspected modus operandi involved luring individuals with high-paying job offers to use them as drug mules, transporting narcotics overseas via commercial flights by concealing the drugs in passengers' luggage. The suspect reportedly traveled from Kajang to Ipoh using an e-hailing service on Saturday and checked into a hotel upon arrival.
The suspect has been remanded for seven days to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Mohd Alwi described the seizure as the second-largest drug bust in Perak this year, crediting it to continuous intelligence efforts by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) and public cooperation. He emphasized that the police will not compromise with any party involved in drug trafficking, possession, distribution, or providing protection for drug-related activities.