Kota Kinabalu: A 23-year-old local, believed to be part of a drug syndicate, was arrested following three separate police raids around the city, resulting in the seizure of more than 20kg of various narcotics worth RM960,000.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the operation, conducted by the Kota Kinabalu Narcotics Crime Investigation Division on July 4, began with a raid on a condominium.
Officers found 790.56gm of suspected methamphetamine (syabu), along with a money-counting machine, a digital scale and drug packaging tools.
The following day, a second raid on another rented condominium uncovered 14.14gm of suspected ketamine.
Acting on information from the suspect, police then inspected an abandoned vehicle in a parking lot, which led to the discovery of a suitcase containing 12.7kg of syabu, 6.9kg of ketamine and 25 packets ecstasy juice and 10 ecstasy pills.
Jauteh said the drugs were likely intended for both local consumption, especially at entertainment venues, and distribution to neighbouring countries.
He added that the suspect is believed to have been actively involved in drug trafficking for the past year.
Assets worth RM240,000 suspected to be linked to drug activities were also seized, bringing the total value of the seizures to RM1.2 million.
The suspect remains in custody and is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
On the narcotic trafficking trends, Jauteh said drugs are typically smuggled into Sabah via sea cargo for large quantities and air transport for smaller consignments.
“This is based on patterns observed over the past five years,” he said, calling for stronger collaboration between enforcement agencies and the public to curb drug threats, especially those involving cross-border smuggling.
“We need comprehensive cooperation from all stakeholders responsible for the movement of goods in and out of Sabah.
“Once drugs enter Sabah, the police can act, but prevention must start before entry,” he said.
Jauteh encouraged community involvement in combating drug abuse, saying residents should report any suspicious activities if they are unable to intervene directly.
“Everyone has a role, whether offering guidance or reporting to the authorities. We need united efforts at the grassroots level,” he said.
