KOTA KINABALU, Oct 28 — A man was arrested after the police allegedly found two kilos of cocaine wrapped in four separate packets strapped to his thighs at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here on Saturday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the 31-year-old man was arrested as he was seen behaving suspiciously during the screening of passengers and carry-on baggage at the departure hall after he had checked in for a flight to Hong Kong at 5.45am.
He said the cocaine worth RM500,000 was meant for Hong Kong as there is no demand for the drug in the local market.
The suspect, who is from Penang, left the island for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and flew into Kota Kinabalu on Friday, Hamza told a news conference here today.
He said HK$1,000 and 200 yuan were seized from the man who was detained under ‘Ops Tapis’ conducted by the police with the cooperation of Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd.
The man, who was tested negative for drugs, is remanded for seven days from today to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Following the arrest, Hamza said the Hong Kong police nabbed three acquaintances of the suspect, including a woman, allegedly carrying four kilos of cocaine using similar method upon arrival at the country’s airport on the same day.
He said the man was kept under the police and the National Anti-Drug Agency surveillance in Penang under Section 38B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 after he was hauled up under Section 15 (1)(a) of the same act. — Bernama
