KOTA KINABALU: Police have arrested two local men who were in the midst of a drug deal involving about 6kg of syabu in Tawau.

       District police chief Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said policemen swooped on the men as they were carrying out the transaction at Bandar Sri Indah at about 3.55pm on June 14.

       He said a team from the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division conducted surveillance in the area after receiving information about the deal.

       "The drugs with a street value of RM216,000 were kept in six packages with the words 'Ecological Rice'.

       “The two are believed to be part of a syndicate that is active in drug trafficking activities in the Tawau district and the surrounding area,” he said on Monday (June 20).

       ACP Jasmin added that police believe the syabu was brought in from neighbouring countries based on the packages used.

       He said the suspects, aged 30 and 42, had been remanded for investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

       “One of them had a drug-related offence on his record and another tested positive for drugs,” he added.