Penang: The Penang Customs Department seized 52.05 kilogrammes of ganja buds worth over RM5 million from a car at the Sungai Petani Selatan Toll Plaza on June 29.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Customs director Rohaizad Ali stated that the operation was executed by the department's Narcotics Branch with intelligence from Customs headquarters and the Northern Zone office regarding the syndicate's drug smuggling activities. Two local men in their 30s, suspected members of the syndicate, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Rohaizad explained that the suspects were believed to have transported the drugs from a neighboring country. Intelligence had led the operations team to track a Perodua Axia driven by one of the suspects from Jitra, Kedah, and the vehicle was intercepted as it exited the Sungai Petani Selatan Toll Plaza.

A thorough search of the vehicle revealed three sacks-one beneath the rear passenger seat and two in the boot-containing 49 compressed packets of ganja buds, weighing approximately 52.047 kg and valued at RM5.1 million, Rohaizad detailed during a press conference at the Kompleks Pencegahan Negeri.

He further noted that initial investigations pointed to the drugs being smuggled in from a neighboring country, and at the time of arrest, the suspects were believed to be on their way to deliver the drugs to a southern state. The vehicle used was a rented car, and further investigations are currently underway.

Both suspects, who are unemployed, are being detained for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.