SARIKEI: Customs officials foiled a drug smuggling attempt into Sarawak, involving a parcel containing instant noodles and three plastic packages of marijuana last Thursday (July 1).
The packages declared as ‘food stuff’ arriving from Malaya using domestic postage, were detected by the parcel post unit at Customs Sarikei Station around 11am.
Sarawak Customs director Herman Shah Abdullah said the team initially inspected a parcel containing instant noodles and found three plastic packages containing marijuana.
“The drugs weighing about 30g and valued around RM1,500 were seized as evidence.
“Efforts to locate the parcel’s owner are ongoing to assist in the investigation,” he said.
The sender’s modus operandi is to pack the drugs inside the instant noodles parcel and send it to Sarawak via domestic postal service to avoid detection by the authorities.
The case is being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which provides for imprisonment of up to five years and whipping up to nine lashes.
Herman urged the public to assist the department in the fight against smuggling activities. He pointed out that smuggling not only harms the country in terms of revenue lost, but also poses a threat to national security and wellbeing of the people.
