KUCHING: The Sarawak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) has scored a major success in the fight against drugs after crippling a trafficking syndicate and seizing over RM1.23 million worth of drugs and assets in two separate operations in Tebedu, Serian, and Kuching.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the first operation was carried out on 24 September at about 2.45pm along Jalan KM 1 ICQS, Jalan Tebedu–Serian. Police arrested an 18-year-old local man and discovered 20,611 grams of methamphetamine worth RM783,218.
“The drugs seized could have been supplied to an estimated 103,055 addicts,” he told reporters at the Sarawak Police Headquarters Media Centre today.
Following the arrest, police tracked down and detained a second suspect, a 63-year-old local man, in a raid at an apartment along Jalan Tun Jugah, Kuching, at around 5.50pm on 25 September.
During the raid, officers confiscated assets amounting to RM448,272.71, including RM19,350 in cash, foreign currency worth RM68,225.27, three gold rings valued at RM27,393.03, a gold belt buckle worth RM28,304.41, a Rolex watch worth RM55,000, and a Lexus RX300 valued at RM250,000.
Datuk Mohamad Zainal said investigations revealed that the syndicate had been active since early 2024. Their modus operandi involved smuggling supplies from Peninsular Malaysia into Sarawak via air travel, before distributing them locally for a fee of RM5,000.
Initial urine tests showed the first suspect was negative for drugs, while the second suspect tested positive for ketamine, benzo, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and methamphetamine. The first suspect had no prior record, while the second suspect had a past offence under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
Both men have been remanded for seven days — from 25 September to 2 October and from 26 September to 3 October — to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping if convicted.
“This success reflects the commitment of Sarawak Police in tackling drug trafficking. We will not compromise with any party involved in this crime. Drugs remain the nation’s number one enemy,” said Datuk Mohamad Zainal, urging the public to continue providing information through the JSJN hotline at 012-2087222. – Polis Sarawak
