KLIA Customs seized over RM20m drugs since April

SEPANG: The Kuala Lumpur International Airport's (KLIA) Customs Department foiled four attempts to smuggle in 10.27 kilogrammes of drugs worth RM1.93 million, since April 29.

KLIA Customs director Badaruddin Mohamed Rafik said one case involved an Indian national carrying two packages containing 24 pots which upon scanning, revealed that drugs were stored in its compartments.

"Following checks, the suspect, 38, was arrested at 8.45am with 5.17 kilogrammes of methapetamine valued at RM1.2 million," he told reporters here today.

In the second case, a-26-year-old Nigerian, who was also a student in Kuala Lumpur, was detained at 9.25pm following the discovery of 1.1kg drugs worth RM275,000.

He said the suspect who arrived from Doha and had also entered the country twice before, was arrested after a suspicious-looking image came up when his bag was scanned.

"Following checks, we found four pieces of black and blue carbon containing methamphetamine, in the rear of the bag which was neatly sealed," he said.

He said suspects were handed over to the enforcement division and remanded for further investigations under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

He said the third case involved a-39-year old Nigerian who was detained on May 5, after one kilogramme of methamphetamine worth RM250,000 was found in his luggage and remanded for 14 days under the same act.

On April 29, an Indian national, 28, was arrested three kilogrammes of ketamin valued at RM120,000 was found in his bag.

"The suspect has been charged on May 11, under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction," he said.

The KLIA Customs have this year seized 112.218kg of drugs valued at RM20.04 million, with the biggest haul on Jan 1, involving 10.25kg of methamphetamine worth RM2.56 million.