A daring attempt by two Indonesian men to smuggle 88 kilogrammes of syabu worth RM4.4 million into Indonesia ended in failure after they were arrested near the coastline in Tanjong Sepat.
The two suspects were detained during Op Taring Nyah 1 at around 11.30am on Saturday by officers from the 6th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA).
According to Central Brigade PGA commander Hakemal Hawari, police inspections uncovered bags filled with packages believed to contain methamphetamine.
Authorities believe the suspects were waiting for a boat to transport the drugs back to Indonesia when they were apprehended.
Police also seized a mobile phone believed to have been used by the suspects to coordinate the smuggling operation.
Hakemal said investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the boat the suspects were waiting for may also have been used to transport undocumented migrants.
The arrests took place along the coastal area located about 100 metres from the PGA Ladang Tumbok post in Kuala Langat.
Investigations are currently ongoing to determine the exact roles played by the suspects as well as the amount of payment they were promised for the smuggling job.
Hakemal said smuggling syndicates frequently change their routes and tactics whenever authorities intensify enforcement operations in certain areas.
Both suspects have since been handed over to the Kuala Langat District Police Headquarters for further investigations under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
In a separate development, Hakemal also revealed that the Central Brigade PGA, covering Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor, had carried out 179 raids and arrested 611 individuals, including 125 women, so far this year up to May 25.
Authorities recorded total seizures worth RM254 million during the operations.
Those arrested involved various nationalities including Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Myanmar nationals and local Malaysians.
Hakemal stressed that the PGA remains committed to safeguarding national security and public order while urging members of the public to continue acting as the “eyes and ears” of the police by reporting smuggling-related activities.
