POLICE crippled a drug syndicate following its botched attempt to avoid detection by smuggling 1,633 kg of syabu worth about RM64.8 million in a lorry on a tow truck. 

Perlis police chief Surina Saad said the drug was uncovered after the police stopped the tow truck during an integrated operation near Jalan Sungai Baru, Simpang Empat at about 4am on February 19. 

“During the inspection, the enforcement team found 27 sacks, each containing 25 packages believed to be syabu in the lorry that was on the tow truck,” she told a press conference today. 

She said four men and a woman, all locals aged between 29 and 49, were arrested to facilitate the investigation. 

All of them are in remand until February 25 for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, she added. 

Following their arrest, the police also seized three vehicles worth RM271,000, jewellery (RM94,525), a luxury handbag (RM15,000), cash of RM7,000 and RM19,078.65 from the suspects’ bank accounts, she said. 

She said one of the suspects attempted to bribe the police by offering a sum of RM200,000 and the case had been handed over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation. – Bernama, February 23, 2023.