JOHOR CUSTOMS FOIL DRUG SYNDICATE, SEIZE OVER 13 KG OF CANNABIS FLOWERS WORTH RM1.292 MLN

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Johor has busted a drug smuggling syndicate through courier services with the seizure of 13.178 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers worth RM1,292,326 in two separate cases around Senai and Johor Bahru in November.

Johor State Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said in the first case on Nov 26 at about 12.45 pm, acting on information from the Johor JKDM Narcotics Branch, a team foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs out via courier services around Senai.

He said a thorough inspection of two parcel boxes addressed for delivery to the United Kingdom found 24 packages suspected of containing cannabis flower with an estimated weight of 13.043 kilogrammes and a seized value of RM1,278,214.

He said a 21-year-old local man was charged at the Kulai Magistrate's Court on Dec 3 and the case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping if convicted.

In the second case, he said on November 19 at about 5.10 pm, the Narcotics Branch of the JKDM Enforcement Division arrested a 23-year-old Filipino man after detecting and tracking a suspicious package addressed to an apartment around Johor Bahru.

Aminul Izmeer said an inspection of the package found five small transparent plastic packages containing plants suspected of being cannabis flowers with an estimated weight of 135 grammes and a seized value of RM14,112.

The suspect was charged at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court on Nov 25 and the case is being investigated under Section 6 and Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Both syndicates, he said, are believed to be using courier services as a modus operandi to import and export dangerous drugs to avoid detection by the authorities.

He also called on the public not to be involved in any smuggling activities and to help the authorities combat the crime which not only harms the country in terms of revenue leakage, but also threatens the safety and well-being of the people.

In another development, Aminul Izmeer said the Johor JKDM has cracked down on 23 cases involving drugs and narcotics from Jan 1 to Nov 30, 2025, with a total value of RM4,654,916.32.

The public can report information related to smuggling activities by contacting the Customs Toll-Free Line 1-800-88-8855 or the nearest customs office, with the assurance that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

-- BERNAMA