NILAI: The Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle 51.36kg of methamphetamine hidden in a consignment to Australia declared as high-pressure rubber hoses at a warehouse in Port Klang.
Customs assistant director-general (enforcement) Ribuan Abdullah said they believe they have crippled the activities of an international drug smuggling syndicate.
The drugs were seized during an operation at 12.45pm on Sept 4.
"Following a tip-off, we seized six boxes from a godown and upon inspection, we found the drugs in five boxes.
"The drugs were hidden between 50m-long rubber hoses," he told reporters at its headquarters in Kg Jijan near here.
Ribuan said the drugs, estimated to be worth RM1.7mil, could have been used by almost 257,000 addicts,
He said based on a preliminary probe, the drugs were to be shipped to Australia.
"We have not made any arrests yet as the exporters gave fictitious information in the shipping documents.
"However, investigations are underway and the case is being probed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act," he said.
This is the 17th time Customs have foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs to Australia.
Asked where the drugs were from, Ribuan said this could not be established for now.
"It may have been smuggled into the country or even processed here. We can't confirm this now," he said.
The public, he said, can also contact the department at 1-800 888 855 to channel any information related to the smuggling of drugs as well as cigarettes, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
He said the identities of the informants will be kept confidential.
