Perlis: The Perlis Customs Department foiled bids to smuggle in 61.842 kilogrammes (kg) of cannabis, believed to be from Thailand, worth an estimated RM188,007.20 on March 3 and 5. Its director, Ismail Hashim, provided details of the operations that took place at the Malaysia-Thailand border entry point in Padang Besar and in the waters off Kuala Perlis.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ismail Hashim revealed that on March 3, a raid at the Padang Besar entry point led to the discovery of 10.812kg of cannabis, valued at approximately RM33,517.20. The cannabis was concealed in a black plastic package amidst rubbish, exploiting the indiscriminate littering in the area. This package contained a box with nine compressed blocks suspected to be cannabis. Ismail shared these details during a media conference at the State Customs Complex.

Further operations on March 5 saw customs personnel seizing 20.20kg of cannabis, worth about RM62,000, after two men were spotted in the waters off Kuala Perlis. The men fled toward Thai waters, discarding a sack and a box into the sea. Upon retrieval, these objects were found to contain 20 compact slabs believed to be cannabis.

Later on the same day, at 10.30 pm, the department intercepted two boxes at the Pulau Batu Layang docking area in Kuala Perlis, seizing 30.83kg of cannabis worth RM92,490. The boxes contained 30 compressed blocks suspected to be cannabis.

Ismail noted that the cases are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The seized cannabis was intended for distribution in the north and Klang Valley markets.