Drug sales using smartphones, GPS busted
KOTA KINABALU: New technology is believed to have allowed drug pushers interact with potential buyers without drawing any suspicion to their activity, thus eliminating the need for 'face-to-face' interaction.
By using smartphone and GPS, drug pushers are able to provide the chosen location where the drugs have been placed, after the transacted payments have been received from their buyers.
This new 'sales and purchase' activity was however uncovered after a couple was detained by police at a condominium at Jalan Nosoob in Penampang on May 16.
State Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said the man was initially detained by narcotics police at a parking lot at Hing Condominium, Jalan Nosoob at around 11.15 pm.
"Police found a black plastic bag containing four packets believed to be Methamphetamine inside the trousers pocket of the suspect. After the arrest and interrogation, the suspect then led police to his home where 105 packets of Methamphetamine, two plastic packets of Ketamine drugs and 188 Ecstasy pills were found," Ramli told a press conference at the state police headquarters in Kepayan yesterday.
Also present were his deputy, Datuk Razarudin Husain, and State Narcotics Department chief, Superintendent Mohamed Fadzil A. Rahman.
Ramli said initial investigation revealed that the total weight of the methamphetamine was 10,400 grams with street value of RM728,000, while the ketamine weighed 10 grams with a street value of RM1,000.
The Ecstasy pills weighed 54 grams with a street value of RM5,640, he said.
Police also found RM155,000 cash, believed to be the profit from the drug sales.
Ramli said, police investigation have unearthed the modus operandi where the drug transaction would take place by handphone interaction between both seller and buyer.
Once payment has been made, which will be deposited into the seller's bank account, the drug would then be dropped at a agreed secluded location.
"The seller will then send the location where the drug is being placed, via GPS, for the buyer to pick up.
"Police also believe the suspect has been active for the past one month and that the drugs were meant for distribution around Penampang and Kota Kinabalu," said Ramli.
Police have since detained the man, aged 31, from Sarawak and a 24-year-old woman from China during the raid.
The couple have been remanded for seven days to facilitate investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.