POLICE arrested five people, including a 17-year-old schoolgirl, following the discovery of 42.2kg of syabu valued at RM1.4 million in a hotel room in Kuching on October 12.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the drugs, smuggled in as Chinese tea, were obtained from their accomplices in Peninsular Malaysia.

“The suspects, comprising three men and two women aged between 17 and 22, were from Kuching,” he told a press conference at the State Police Contingent Headquarters in Kuching today.

“They are under remand until October 20, to assist in investigations.

“Two individuals, pretending to be couriers, had smuggled the drugs from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching via airplane. The drugs are believed to be for markets in Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu.”

Azman said the suspects had voluntarily participated in the illegal activity and they were arrested in raids around Bintawa and Kuching on the same day.

“A Perodua Aruz car estimated to be worth RM50,000 was also seized,” he said.

Azman said the seizure was the largest in the fourth series of Op Tapis Khas held from October10-12. Since January, Sarawak police have seized various types of drugs weighing 85.17kg and arrested 1,332 suspects. – Bernama, October 16, 2023.