Tawau: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) seized 323.91 kilogrammes (kg) of methamphetamine and 0.98 litres of fentanyl, with a total estimated value of RM16.34 million, during Operation Hymenoptera conducted on April 21 and May 1 in Tawau.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that in the first raid at Batu 15 Jalan Apas, the police seized 128 transparent plastic packets suspected to contain methamphetamine, weighing approximately 130.60 kg, and a Toyota Harrier vehicle.
He mentioned that two local men aged 36 and 52 were also arrested in the raid. The first suspect is believed to be the 'transporter' and tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, while the second suspect is identified as a syndicate member.
Following the initial arrests, a second raid was conducted on two vehicles, a Nissan Sylphy and a Toyota Camry, in Bandar Sri Indah, Batu 10. It is believed that the syndicate has been active since the beginning of this year. In the Nissan vehicle, the police discovered methamphetamine weighing 90.41 kg and a liquid suspected to be fentanyl weighing 0.98 litres. In the Toyota Camry, 99 transparent plastic packets suspected to contain methamphetamine weighing 102.90 kg were found.
Hussein Omar explained that the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If convicted, the offender may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with caning of not less than 12 strokes. The suspects were charged in court on May 6, with both defendants having records of drug offences and past criminal activities. Action was also taken under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Forfeiture of Property) 1988, with a total seizure amounting to RM34,000.
The syndicate's modus operandi involved using second-hand vehicles to conceal drugs within the vehicle's interior. These vehicles were brought from Sepanggar Port and then sent to Tawau. Tawau has become a transit hub for smuggling prohibited substances, intended not only for local use but also for distribution to other countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia.
The police believe the drugs originated from the Golden Triangle or the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, passing through the Klang Valley and smuggled into Sabah and Sarawak for local use and distribution in neighbouring countries. The mastermind of the syndicate has reportedly fled the country, although syndicate members have been apprehended.