Kota Kinabalu: Police busted a drug trafficking syndicate with the seizure of drugs and assets worth more than RM427,000 in a major operation conducted here and in Penampang.
Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief ACP Kasim Muda said a man and a woman were arrested following intelligence reports of drug distribution activities.
“Our officers arrested a 25-year-old woman who was holding a paper bag in front of a Proton Satria driven by a 70-year-old man at Api-Api Centre on Feb 27,” Kasim told a media conference here Tuesday.
The raid led to the discovery of 1,048.02gm of syabu in the woman’s possession.
Following this initial arrest, officers conducted a follow-up operation at a house in Penampang, where an additional 2,110.03gm of syabu were
confiscated.
“The syndicate was caught red-handed. They had been flying under the radar since early 2024, but their luck finally ran out.
“Their modus operandi involved distributing large quantities of syabu to dealers who would then repackage it into smaller packets according to demand around Kota Kinabalu and Penampang,” he said.
The total seized drugs is estimated to be worth RM101,000 and could supply around 15,790 users.
The female suspect tested positive for ketamine, methamphetamine and amphetamine, while the male suspect tested negative for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.
Both suspects have been remanded from Feb 27 to facilitate investigations.
Police also seized assets under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Forfeiture of Property) 1988, including a Proton Satria, three rings, three wristwatches and cash amounting to RM1,066. The total value of the seized assets is estimated at RM326,109.
“The battle against drugs is far from over. We will conduct further investigations to track down other members of the syndicate who remain at large and bring them to justice,” he said.
He also said they remain committed to combating the nation’s number one enemy.
“We urge the public to continue providing information related to drug trafficking activities through the Kota Kinabalu Police Headquarters hotline at 088-52922.
“Together, we can nip this problem in the bud,” he said.
