PADANG BESAR: Police have foiled an attempt by two men to smuggle in five kilogrammes of ganja worth RM15,500 following the arrest of two men.
Padang Besar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shokri Abdullah said police made the first arrest at 1.30pm on Friday after receiving a tip-off.
"Acting on the information, a team from the Padang Besar Narcotics Investigation Division rushed to the scene and arrested a man who was waiting on a motorcycle in front of a free duty shopping mall near the Padang Besar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex.
"The team seized five slabs of ganja in a bag carried by the man," he said in a press conference at his office today.
Shokri said police had arrested another man at the same location less than 24 hours later.
He said the suspect, 36, was believed to be the mastermind behind a drug trafficking syndicate, that was active almost a year ago.
The man has a criminal record, that includes 14 cases involving drugs and other offenses.
"Based on the investigation, the first suspect had acted as the runner who smuggled the supply into this country for RM2,000 fees for each shipment.
"The man, who is on parole, is wanted by Langkawi police for three drug-related cases," he said.
The drugs seized can cater to 5,000 addicts.
The suspects tested positive for methamphetamine.
Police have obtained a week-long remand order against the duo until Feb 16 for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.