JOHOR BARU: It was a container of frozen seafood from a South America country to China. But the authorities thought there was something fishy about it.
They were right. Hidden inside the container was more than 40kg of high-grade cocaine worth about RM10mil.
Sources said that the seizure, at a port here, was the biggest with the drugs enough to supply more than 200,0000 addicts.
It is learnt that Customs officers, acting on a tip-off, detained the container at the port several days ago. The container was actually left at the port unopened as it was on transit here en route to China.
Sources said special scanners were used to detect the drugs which were well hidden.
At press time, no arrest has been made in Malaysia. It is also not known how long the container had been left at the port.
However, authorities are expected to make an official announcement about the seizure soon. There are three major ports in the state.
“The drugs have been sent for analysis as it is believed to be high-grade cocaine.
“We believe the port here was used as a transit point to supply drugs to another destination,” a Home Ministry source said, adding that Customs and police were now sharing information with their foreign counterparts to track down and nab those involved abroad.
Sources said surveillance has also been stepped up at all ports to ensure foreign syndicates do not use them as transit points.
Sources said the last major drug bust at a port in Johor was in 2021 when Customs officials seized RM14.3mil worth of drugs hidden among coffee beans.
In that case, the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency provided information regarding a shipment from Guatemala en route to Malaysia, that was ferrying drugs to the Philippines.
Most seizures in Johor ports, however, have mainly involved cigarette and liquor smuggling.
