PADANG BESAR: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized nine compressed cannabis blocks worth RM400,000 near the Malaysia-Thailand border yesterday.
GOF Northern Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Shahrum Hashim said the drugs were discovered during a surveillance operation after two men were spotted climbing the border wall into Thailand. The suspects managed to escape.
"The incident occurred about 12.30am while a team was patrolling the area. Officers noticed a faint torchlight in a hilly area near the Malaysia-Thailand border wall," he said today.
"Suspecting an attempted breach, they approached the area and shouted warnings, identifying themselves as police. At that moment, two individuals were seen climbing the 1.82m wall and escaping into Thailand."
He said inspections revealed a black backpack abandoned near the wall.
"Inside the bag, we found nine compressed blocks suspected to be cannabis, weighing 8kg, with an estimated value of RM400,000, along with clothing believed to belong to the suspects.
"We suspect the individuals intended to smuggle the drugs into the country and planned to use the spare clothes to blend in while in Malaysia."
The drugs were believed to be destined for distribution in Perlis and Kedah by local syndicates operating in the region.
"Despite the darkness and barbed wire on the border wall, these syndicates appear undeterred, using tools to cut through the barriers and climb over the wall."
Shahrum added that enhanced border security measures have made it increasingly difficult for syndicates to penetrate the area.
"Based on our statistics, the number of drug-related arrests and seizures in our jurisdiction in Perlis dropped from five cases in 2023 to four last year. The value of seizures also declined from RM1.5 million to RM455,900."
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1953.