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KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) – Malaysia’s maritime agency said on Sunday (December 13) that it had seized more than two tons of crystalline methamphetamine worth 105.9 million ringgit (35 million Singapore dollars) from a ship in front of to the west coast of the country, its largest transportation in the country. drug.
Malaysia has made several record methamphetamine failures in recent years.
Authorities have said the intercepted shipments were part of a multi-billion dollar illicit drug trade that spans Australia, Southeast Asia and China.
The latest discovery came on Wednesday when a Malaysian Maritime Control Agency (MMEA) patrol found a recreational boat moving suspiciously off the island of Penang, MMEA CEO Mohamad Zubil Mat Som said at a release.
A chase ensued when the sole occupant of the ship, a 26-year-old Malaysian man, ignored orders to stop.
He then tried to escape by jumping into the water, but was later arrested, said Admiral Datuk Mohamad Zubil.
Officials who inspected the ship found 130 sacks containing 2,118 kg of crystal methamphetamine disguised as packets of Chinese tea.
The origin and destination of the drugs are still under investigation.
However, the packaging of the tea was similar to that found in previous shipments that were suspected of coming from Myanmar, Admiral Mohamad Zubil told Reuters.
“This is the largest seizure in MMEA’s 15-year history,” he said.
Crystal methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic drug also known as speed, shabu, and yaba.
“As big as two tons or more, and it is massive, the unions that run the drug trade in Asia can easily replace shipments like these,” said Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs. and Crime. “The region needs a forward-thinking strategy that addresses root causes if they ever hope to get ahead of the situation.”
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