KOTA KINABALU: A drug dealer could face the gallows after he was nabbed with over 10kg of syabu seized at a housing area in Tuaran, near here recently.

       The suspect, in his 40s, was arrested when policemen conducting patrols at the area saw him parking at the area at around 10pm, Sunday (May 8).

       Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said policemen inspected the vehicle he was in, and found boxes containing the drugs.

       “There were several wrapped packets that contained crystal substances believed to be syabu weighing 10.4kg and valued at RM360,000,” he said at a press conference on Thursday (May 12).

       “We believe the drugs were smuggled in from neighbouring countries via courier services for sales locally. The amount seized can supply up to 50,000 drug addicts,” he said.

       Despite having no prior convictions, Jauteh said the suspect tested positive for drugs.

       He said police are probing if the suspect belonged to any syndicates and they are also looking for two suspected accomplices in their 40s, a man and a woman.

       “This suspect is now remanded and investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a mandatory death sentence upon conviction,” he said.

       On other matters, he said narcotic police have seized over RM3.6mil worth of drugs from January to April this year, an increase of 50% compared with the same period last year.