( Miri, 11th) Sarawak Customs Department Director Hajinorizan bin Yahya held a press conference today to announce that the Customs Department in Miri has uncovered a major drug smuggling case, successfully seizing 26.313 kg of cannabis flower, valued at RM2,578,000.
Also attending the press conference with Director Hajinorizan were Miri Customs Department chief Shakadatan bin Haji Liman, Mazidi officers who actively participated in the enforcement operation, and other enforcement personnel.
According to the case summary, the incident occurred on May 13, 2025, at approximately 9:30 am. Miri's Royal Customs Department's drug unit enforcement personnel, after receiving intelligence from the air cargo unit, proceeded to the warehouse of a local courier company located on Miri Bypass Road to inspect five unclaimed parcels.
During the inspection, the enforcement personnel found a total of 98 plastic bags, initially suspected to contain cannabis, with a total weight of 26.313 kg. The batch of cannabis is suspected to have been sent from Peninsular Malaysia by courier and falsely declared as “clothing” to avoid detection and evade enforcement.
“The case is currently still under investigation, and no arrests have been made. Enforcement units waited for several days, but no one came to claim the goods, and they were eventually seized in accordance with the law.”
He stated that the drugs are classified as dangerous drugs under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the same Act. If convicted, those involved can face the death penalty or life imprisonment, and at least 15 strokes of the cane.
The Malaysian Customs Department urges the public to actively cooperate with enforcement efforts by providing any clues related to smuggling activities, especially those involving cigarettes, alcohol, firecrackers, drugs, and smuggled vehicles. The department reminds that smuggling not only causes loss of national revenue but also seriously threatens societal security and public welfare.
If the public holds any information, they can call the Customs Department toll-free hotline at 1800-88-8855 or contact the nearest customs office. The department will keep all informants' identities strictly confidential.
Hajinorizan also revealed that, to date, Miri Customs Department has conducted 14 drug interception operations this year, with a total drug value seized amounting to RM6.89 million, and 10 people have been arrested and charged. Most of the drugs come from West Malaysia and are sent to Sarawak via courier or air freight, with some even suspected to be intended for further smuggling to Indonesia.
He noted that some drugs might be smuggled to Indonesia through “rat trails” such as through the border areas of Tebedu and Serikin, which are still under thorough investigation.
It is notable that this is the first time Sarawak has seized the “cannabis flower” type of drug, which has a higher market value than the traditional compressed cannabis blocks.