KEDAH COPS SEIZE RM1.6M IN CANNABIS
4 men arrested in state’s biggest drug haul this year
POLICE seized RM1.58 million worth of cannabis in the biggest drug haul in Kedah this year and detained four men believed to have been hired to transport the drugs.
The seizure was made in a joint operation by the Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group and Kedah Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department between 6.20am and 7.40am yesterday.
Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh said the drugs — in 533 slabs and weighing a total of 527.9kg — were found inside a Toyota Alphard driven by a 33-year-old man from Kuala Lumpur.
“The team flagged down the vehicle at a traffic light in Kuala Kedah and found the drugs hidden inside the car.
“A follow-up arrest was made at a jetty in Kuala Kedah where we arrested three men in their 20s,” he said here yesterday.
Present were Federal Narcotics Department (Intelligence/Operation) deputy director Datuk Kang Chez Chiang and Kedah Narcotic Investigation Department chief Helmi Aris.
According to Mohmad, the 33year-old man was hired to transport the drugs from Kuala Kedah to the capital city while the three men were hired to transfer the drugs from a boat and into the car.
He said initial investigations revealed that the driver was paid RM3,000 for the trip.
Mohmad said the drugs were believed to have just arrived into the country on a boat on the same morning before they were transferred to the car.
“The three men detained at the jetty tested positive for cannabis, methamphetamine and ampethamine while the driver tested negative.”
He said the suspects were remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
Police believed the drugs were for the local market.
Mohmad said police believed the suspects were part of a syndicate and investigations were ongoing.