CUSTOMS DEPT SEIZES KETAMINE FROM INDIA VIA POS LAJU

BUTTERWORTH (Penang, Malaysia), May 26 (Bernama) -- The northern state of Penang Customs and Excise Department has severed a drug pipeline into the country, with the seizure of two kilogrammes of ketamine at a house in Seberang Jaya here.

Following a 12.45pm raid at the house Tuesday, a team of enforcement officers found the drug hidden in secret compartments of four brief-cases.

A 26-year-old housewife was arrested to shed light on the seizure.

Initial investigations have revealed that the ketamine, believed to be from India and worth about RM70,000 (US$22,974), was couriered to the house via Pos Laju, one of the oldest courier companies in Malaysia, the previous day.

State customs department director Zulkifli Yahya told reporters Wednesday, it was the first time that the customs department had seized drugs which were
couriered by Pos Laju.

He said the suspect was remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Meanwhile, the state customs department seized an assortment of drugs, fire-crackers, alcohol and cigarettes worth about RM8.5 million (US$2.789 million) in the first three months of the year.
-- BERNAMA