NILAI: Customs has foiled an attempt by an international syndicate to smuggle 232kg of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) worth some RM17mil into the country, says Datuk Zazuli Johan.
The Customs director-general said this was the largest amount of type 3 and 4 MDMA ever seized by the department.
The amount seized can be used to produce 1.5 tonnes of ecstacy pills.
Zazuli said his men seized the illicit drug during an operation at the KLIA Cargo Complex around 6pm on Tuesday (July 18).
"Following a tip-off, my officers seized 18 boxes and found 12 containing crystal-like chunks which were believed to be type 3 and 4 MDMA.
"They also found another box which contained white powder weighing some 20.5kg which was believed to be ketamine worth some RM1.2mil," he said
Zazuli said the syndicate had tried to hoodwink the authorities by declaring the consignment as car accessories.
"The five other boxes were filled with disc brakes.
"Checks showed the illicit drugs came from a European nation and the KLIA was the final destination," he said.
He said the importers had also used fictitious addresses as well as fake documents to escape detection.
No arrests have been made so far.
The case is being probed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Zazuli said this was the second time this year Customs have seized MDMA at the KLIA.
In March, his men seized 3kg of the drug in a consignment which had been declared as water filters.
