18 April 2013| last updated at 08:55PM
Custom seize 84kg drugs worth RM3.36m
NILAI: The Customs Department seized 84kg of drugs (ketamine) worth RM3.36 million that was brought into the country in a container through Port Klang's West Port, last Tuesday.
Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad said the container which arrived from Kolkata in India a few days ago contained 280 sacks of potatoes, including the 84kg drugs that were packed in nine sacks.
"The goods in the container were declared as 280 sacks of potatoes and imported by a local import company.
"However, based on information from the public, a special team from the Customs Narcotics division from the headquarters and Perak carried out a thorough investigation for two days before identifying the drugs," he told reporters at the Customs headquarters, here today.
He added that nine sacks among the 280 sacks declared as potatoes contained ketamine.
Khazali said following investigations a local man, aged 37 was detained while police are investigating the case under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He added that Customs was also working closely with other similar importers of potatoes to investigate if other suspects are involved.
Khazali also said the department had also crippled 44 attempts to smuggle in drugs and other goods worth RM39 million from January to March.
He urged those with information of drug smuggling activities to contact the department at 1-800-88-8855, 06-7917792 or 06-7917587 while the Customs will ensure the identity of informers remains confidential. -- BERNAMA
