Customs Foil Smuggling Attempts At Bukit Kayu Hitam, Seize 34kg Cannabis

ALOR SETAR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Royal Malaysian Customs Department thwarted two attempts to smuggle in approximately 34kg of cannabis in separate operations at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex last month.

State Customs director Wan Marini Wan Hamzah said the first operation on June 26 involved a lorry driven by a man that was stopped at 10.10 pm at the ICQS vehicle inspection zone.

“Two boxes containing 18.75kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of over RM57,000 were found hidden behind the driver’s seat. The man was immediately detained for further investigation.

“The modus operandi involved concealing the drugs among a legitimate consignment of vegetables, brought in late at night in hopes of bypassing inspection and securing direct clearance at the border,” she said in a statement today.

In the second operation on June 28, two brothers travelling on a cross-border express bus were detained at 4.50 pm while passing through the bus lane at the ICQS checkpoint.

“Scans of their luggage revealed tightly packed bundles wrapped in black plastic, suspected to be cannabis. A total of 15 compressed packets containing cannabis flower weighing 875.3gm and over 14.59kg of cannabis were seized, with an estimated street value exceeding RM45,200.

“All suspects have been detained for further investigation. The Customs Department urges the public to play an active role in combating smuggling, particularly involving cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, and to refrain from any involvement in such illegal activities,” she said.

She added that members of the public can report such activities by calling the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or by contacting the nearest Customs office.

-- BERNAMA