KOTA KINABALU: Police believe they have crippled a drug syndicate after seizing more than 7kg of syabu worth over RM250,000 in two separate raids in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district.

       A 20-year-old man, believed to be a key member helping the syndicate move the drugs, was also arrested in the operation conducted by the district anti-narcotics department on May 25.

       Tawau police chief Asst Comm Jasmin Husin said the first raid was carried out at about 2.10pm on Jalan Stephen Tan where they found two Chinese tea boxes containing the syabu hidden in a speaker.

       The suspect was subsequently brought to Tawau police headquarters for questioning.

       “That led us to the second raid at a shophouse at Mile 3 Jalan Apas at 3.40pm the same day,” he told reporters on Tuesday (May 31).

       He said police found five more boxes containing the same type of drugs at the premises rented by the suspect.

       “The drugs weighed 7,193.93gm and are valued at RM258,948,” ACP Jasmin said.

       “Based on the initial probe, all the boxes were brought into Sabah through a courier service and meant for local distribution,” he added.

       He said police are trying to identify other members of the syndicate, and added that the suspect has two previous criminal convictions.

       “The suspect is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence on conviction,” he said.