Customs deputy director-general (enforcement and compliance) Zulkifli Yahya said based on intelligence and surveillance carried out, the department raided the importing agent’s premises at the airport’s free commercial zone (FCZ) about 9am, and seized 12 boxes filled with Eramine 5 pills, as well as arrested two men, aged 18 and 34.
“The plane from Taipei carrying the drugs arrived at the airport on Dec 14, with the packages declared as mechanical equipment.
“They were subsequently transferred from the MASkargo warehouse to the agent’s warehouse located within the FCZ.
“Based on the information received, customs conducted surveillance for three days before raiding the warehouse of the agent and seizing the drugs as well as detaining two men who were delivery agents,” he told a press conference here today.
He said based on preliminary investigations, all the drugs were believed to have been brought to Penang for local distribution.
Zulkifli said customs also arrested another 40-year-old man, believed to be a delivery agent today, to assist with investigations.
“The first two men detained have been remanded for 12 days to assist with investigations while the third man was detained in Perai, and the customs will be seeking a remand order against the suspect,” he said.
He said further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 was still ongoing, including detecting those who imported the drugs.
“Based on our investigation, the drug traffickers have brought in several items from Taipei before, and we are still investigating whether they have links with drug syndicates,” he said.