Taiping Couple Arrested, RM2.8 Million Worth of Drugs Seized

IPOH, Oct 31: Police have arrested a married couple in Taiping for suspected involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation, seizing narcotics and drug-processing materials worth more than RM2.8 million.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the arrests were made following an intelligence-led operation by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department on Wednesday (Oct 29).

“At about 5.15pm, officers detained a 39-year-old lorry driver near a market in Pokok Assam,” Noor Hisam said at a press conference at the Perak police headquarters on Friday.

Following the arrest, police interrogated the suspect, who led investigators to a house in Taman Assamara, where his 26-year-old wife was also arrested.

“A search of the premises led to the discovery and seizure of six transparent plastic packets containing substances believed to be methamphetamine, weighing about 5,063.7 grams, as well as 84.75 litres of liquid suspected to contain drugs, along with equipment and chemicals used for processing,” he said.

The total seizure is estimated to be worth RM2.87 million, and the drugs are believed to have been intended for distribution outside of Perak.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been active since August. Urine tests showed the male suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, while his wife tested negative.

“The male suspect has two previous records related to criminal and drug offences, while his wife, a housewife, has no prior record,” Noor Hisam added.

Police also confiscated a car and a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, valued at about RM100,000 in total. The car was registered under the name of the male suspect’s brother-in-law, while the 4WD was in the woman’s name.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment with at least 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

“This success reflects our continuous intelligence efforts and the cooperation of the public.
We will not compromise with anyone involved in trafficking, possession, or distribution of drugs,” Noor Hisam said.

Police urged the public to continue providing information to help combat drug-related activities in the state.