TWO THAI WOMEN CAUGHT WITH 1.93KG OF COCAINE IN BELLY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Two Thai women who became couriers for
international drug syndicates were paid RM5,000 per trip for swallowing 1.93kg
of cocaine worth RM480,000.

Kuala Lumpur narcotic CID chief ACP Kang Chez Chiang said the women aged 25
and 37 were used by syndicates to smuggle drugs from South America to Thailand
using Malaysia as a transit point.

He said the cocaine swallowed in capsules could remain intact for three days
to one week as it was covered in at least three layers.

The Thai women were picked up by police in an operation just before they
boarded buses to the north at Puduraya bus terminal on July 3.

Kang said police did not find drugs on the 25 year-old but x-ray at Kuala
Lumpur Hospital revealed the presence of several lumps, believed drugs in her
stomach.

"The suspect was detained in hospital for seven days where 98 capsules
weighing 1.1 kg, believed cocaine were flushed from her system."

She was detained under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

In another case, police detained a 37 year-old Thai woman for smuggling
cocaine using a similar method.

"During her detention at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, 67 capsules of cocaine
weighing 878 gms were recovered from the suspect. We believe there are several
more capsules in her body," he said.

The woman was remanded until July 14 under Section 117 of CPC. The cases
were investigated under Section 39(B), Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

In another case, two people including a woman were detained together with
Eramin, Ecstacy and Ketamine worth RM50,000 in a raid on a condominium in Jalan
Sungai Besi on July 7.

Police seized 1,300 Eramin pills, 5,605 Ecstacy pills and 432.64 gms of
drugs believed to be Ketamine.

Kang said urine tests showed that the 38 and 22 year-old suspects with two
criminal records were positive drugs and had been actively distributing drugs
since six months ago.

They were remanded until July 13 under Section 117 of CPC. The case was
investigated under Section 39(B) Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the
mandatory death sentence. (US$1=RM3.53)
-- BERNAMA