Ganja resembling belacan, chocolate, and keropok lekor seized
KANGAR: Belacan, chocolate bars and keropok lekor — these familiar favourites turned out to be a cover for a pungent plot here.
The drugs, valued at RM9,238, were found in the possession of a 21-year-old Thai national who was arrested while attempting to board the Electric Train Service (ETS) heading south from Bukit Keteri Railway Station.
Perlis police chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said the incident took place at Bukit Keteri railway station after police received information regarding a Thai man carrying cannabis who was planning to board the ETS.
"Based on the information received, our personnel from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of the Perlis police contingent headquarters went to the station and successfully identified the 21-year-old suspect.
"The man was believed to be waiting for the ETS heading south, and upon inspecting the backpack he was carrying, we found 27 plastic packets containing green plant material suspected to be cannabis, weighing 2.98 kilogrammes and valued at RM9,238," he said.
Muhammad said preliminary investigations revealed the suspect was paid more than RM1,000 by the syndicate to deliver the cannabis via the ETS.
"The cannabis was shaped and packaged to resemble shrimp paste, chocolate bars, and raw 'keropok lekor' in an attempt to fool the authorities during inspections.
"The supply is believed to have been sourced from a neighbouring country, with Perlis used as a transit point before being distributed or sold in southern states.
"The suspect's modus operandi involved delivering drug supplies from Thailand into the country on demand, for a fee of RM1,500," he said.
Following this, police arrested another suspect, a 25-year-old local man in Alor Setar, who is also believed to be involved in the drug distribution syndicate.
"Initial drug screening on the main suspect found him positive for methamphetamine. A background check revealed he has four prior criminal records related to drug offences.
"The total amount of drugs seized in this case could serve approximately 29,870 drug addicts," he said.
Muhammad said the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The suspect has been remanded for seven days until this Thursday to assist with investigations.
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