By Fiqah Roslan
Sandakan cops make second largest drugs seizure
KOTA KINABALU: Sandakan police have seized about RM105,000 worth of drugs which was the second largest seizure in Sabah so far.
A foreign man was caught by police with 2.1 kg of syabu (methamphetamine) on him around 3.45 pm on March 1 at an open space opposite a warehouse in Sandakan.
The man had in his possession a grey Charles & Keith box filled with pieces of newspapers used to wrap two green plastic packets.
Upon inspection, both packets were found filled with chunks of the crystal-like substance weighing about 2.1 kg.
During interrogation, police learned that the drugs were brought via public transport from Kota Kinabalu.
The unemployed suspect, in his 30s, lived in a squatter area in Sandakan and has no identification documents. He also tested positive for drugs from a urine test.
Sabah Deputy Commissioner of Police Dato Zaini Jass said it was the biggest drug seizure in Sandakan so far this year.
“At the moment, we are conducting further investigations to identify who else is involved in transporting the drugs from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
“These local pushers appear to be trying to infiltrate other districts in Sabah. We are placing a serious emphasis on eradicating drug trafficking as well as drug abuse,” he said.
The suspect has been remanded for seven days from March 2 and is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the death sentence or lifetime imprisonment with whipping, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu police apprehended 17 suspects, aged between 17 and 55, during a special operation to combat drug dealing and drug abuse.
Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Habibi Majinji said the suspects were caught at Kampung Skim Penempatan Telipok, Manggatal and Kampung Tebobon, Manggatal on March 3 between 12.30 pm and 6 pm. The 16 men and one woman were arrested for offences under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“The operation was carried out based on intelligence and public information regarding drug nests in efforts to put a stop to drug abuse. It is also to identify and take action against existing drug syndicate members around those areas.
“Overall, the operation went smoothly. We will heighten our efforts to curb drug activities in Kota Kinabalu for the wellbeing of the people,” he said.