Duo nabbed over drugs worth RM3.3mil seized at Kuching airport

Police arrested two local men and seized 32.73kg of Eramin 5 pills worth an estimated RM3.3 million in an operation at Kuching International Airport on Sept 28.

Sarawak acting police commissioner Saifullizan Ishak said the state narcotics criminal investigation department arrested the suspects, aged 25 and 39, at the arrival hall.

He said investigations found that the syndicate sourced the drugs from Johor Bahru before flying them to Kuching for distribution in the city.

“Both suspects are believed to have been paid RM5,000,” he told a press conference at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters here today.

Saifullizan said the syndicate was believed to have been operating since August, and that the seized drugs could have affected up to 163,650 people.

“The 25-year-old suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and benzodiazepines, while the other suspect tested negative for drugs.

“The 25-year-old suspect who is unemployed has a criminal record of three offences, one of which is drug-related, while the 39-year-old suspect who works as a fisherman has a record of two criminal offences,” he said.

The suspects were initially remanded until Oct 5. Their remand was extended by two days before they were charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 at the Kuching magistrates’ court on Oct 7.