http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=76506
Indian national's 2.7kg ketamine ruse fails
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Kota Kinabalu: A 27-year-old foreigner tried sneaking in 2.7kg of suspected ketamine interwoven in flowery embroideries on Dec. 30.
The man, who holds an Indian passport, thought his ingenious way could get the better of the authorities but Customs officers had their eyes on him the moment he stepped foot on the Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 1 here.
As he hurried towards the exit after retrieving his two pieces of luggage, the officers moved in and stopped the suspect who had touched down from Singapore at about 12.30pm.
After a brief inspection, they found the drugs carefully stitched in the embroideries of 10 garments that were placed in-between other clothing to further confuse the authorities.
Full of praise for his men's watchful eyes, Sabah Customs Director, Hj Mohd Kassim Hj Ismail said they believe the man was part of a larger international syndicate.
"He has been remanded for seven days for further investigations," he said, adding the probe has been framed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty.
They were still establishing the final destination of the drugs, which have been sent to the Chemistry Department for tests, he said, adding that the suspect was booked on a flight to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport later in the evening.
To a question, he said they were not sure how much the drugs were worth but that a kilogramme of ketamine could fetch up to RM11,000.
Meanwhile, Mohd Kassim said the department prosecuted three drug cases in court last year, of which all the accused were sent to the gallows.
He urged the public to get in touch with the Customs Department at the toll-free line 1-800-88-8855 if they had any information pertaining to drug smuggling or trafficking.
Indian national's 2.7kg ketamine ruse fails
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Kota Kinabalu: A 27-year-old foreigner tried sneaking in 2.7kg of suspected ketamine interwoven in flowery embroideries on Dec. 30.
The man, who holds an Indian passport, thought his ingenious way could get the better of the authorities but Customs officers had their eyes on him the moment he stepped foot on the Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal 1 here.
As he hurried towards the exit after retrieving his two pieces of luggage, the officers moved in and stopped the suspect who had touched down from Singapore at about 12.30pm.
After a brief inspection, they found the drugs carefully stitched in the embroideries of 10 garments that were placed in-between other clothing to further confuse the authorities.
Full of praise for his men's watchful eyes, Sabah Customs Director, Hj Mohd Kassim Hj Ismail said they believe the man was part of a larger international syndicate.
"He has been remanded for seven days for further investigations," he said, adding the probe has been framed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty.
They were still establishing the final destination of the drugs, which have been sent to the Chemistry Department for tests, he said, adding that the suspect was booked on a flight to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport later in the evening.
To a question, he said they were not sure how much the drugs were worth but that a kilogramme of ketamine could fetch up to RM11,000.
Meanwhile, Mohd Kassim said the department prosecuted three drug cases in court last year, of which all the accused were sent to the gallows.
He urged the public to get in touch with the Customs Department at the toll-free line 1-800-88-8855 if they had any information pertaining to drug smuggling or trafficking.
