IPOH - Police arrested a 29-year-old Singaporean man and seized 19.04 kilogrammes of drugs, worth an estimated RM1.52 million, at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) here last Sunday.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said airport police officers became suspicious after spotting the unemployed man carrying a piece of luggage during a baggage inspection at the check-in counter.
He said the suspect was scheduled to fly from Ipoh to Singapore before continuing his journey to London, England.
"Further inspection of the luggage uncovered 36 transparent plastic packages containing dried leafy substances suspected to be cannabis flowers, weighing approximately 19.04 kg and with an estimated market value of RM1.52 million," he told a press conference at the Perak Police Contingent Headquarters here today.
Alwi said a urine screening test found the suspect negative for drugs, while checks also revealed that he had no previous criminal record.
He added that the seized drugs could potentially affect up to 47,900 users and were believed to have originated from a syndicate operating in Kajang, Selangor.
"Preliminary investigations found that the suspect had responded to a job offer advertised on a website, which promised a lucrative salary of SG$4,000 (RM12,687) to transport luggage allegedly containing counterfeit branded goods to London.
"The syndicate's suspected modus operandi was to lure individuals with high-paying job offers and use them as drug mules to transport narcotics overseas via commercial flights, concealing the drugs in passengers' luggage to avoid detection by the authorities," he said.
Alwi said the suspect had travelled from Kajang to Ipoh using an e-hailing service on Saturday and checked into a hotel upon arrival.
He added that the suspect had been remanded for seven days from yesterday to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He described the seizure as the second-largest drug bust in Perak this year, attributing it to continuous intelligence efforts by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) and public cooperation.
"The police will not compromise with any party involved in drug trafficking, possession, distribution or providing protection for drug-related activities," he said. - BERNAMA