KUCHING: Police have seized 36kg of drugs worth RM1.29 million during Op Benteng at Bandar Mutiara Tebedu in Serian on Saturday.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail said a police team was conducting an operation with other agencies on illegal immigrants when they spotted a vehicle heading to the Tebedu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) around 5am.
However, the vehicle made a sudden U-turn and sped off upon spotting the team, prompting police to give chase.
Aidi said the team stopped the vehicle and detained the driver at Kampung Sejijak, which is located near the area.
"The 48-year-old local man was nabbed after 36kg of syabu was found in his car, packed in four different bags.
"The first two bags were placed on the rear passenger seat while another two bags were hidden under the seats. The drugs were concealed in Guanyinwang tea packages.
"The amount of drugs seized would have been enough to supply 36,000 addicts," he said.
Aidi said police also confiscated the vehicle, a watch estimated to be worth RM1,700 and RM572 in cash.
The unemployed male suspect from Miri, who tested positive for methamphetamine, has been remanded for seven days, until Sept 25, to assist in investigations into the case under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, he said.