Sabah police conduct the largest drug bust in state history, seizing more than three tonnes of narcotics and arresting eight suspects across multiple raids.
Authorities in Sabah, Malaysia, say they have carried out the largest drug seizure in the state’s history, confiscating more than three tonnes of illegal narcotics and arresting eight suspects in a series of coordinated raids.
The operation, codenamed Ops Coleoptera, began in late January and included multiple raids in and around Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and a transit seizure at Port Klang, a major sea freight hub. Investigators believe the syndicate used cargo containers falsely declared as machinery to move drugs destined for distribution in Sabah and beyond.
In the first raid on January 20, police found about 548 kg of methamphetamine and 31 kg of ecstasy pills at a property in Taman Landmark Penampang, and detained two local men. Later the same day, another local man, a foreign woman, and a third local suspect were arrested in a separate location, with additional methamphetamine recovered.
At Port Klang, authorities uncovered more than 255 kg of meth believed to be en route to Sabah, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects. Subsequent searches uncovered further quantities of methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy pills and cocaine vape liquid, along with other evidence.
Additional inspections of a container truck in the city revealed roughly 679 kg of meth and 52 kg of ketamine, followed by the arrest of another local man believed to be involved in the syndicate. Overall, authorities believe the full haul, including drugs and seized property such as vehicles, jewellery and cash holds an estimated value of more than RM174 million ($44.5 million USD) and could have supplied millions of doses for individual use.
Of the eight people arrested, five have been charged in court, two have been released on witness bonds, and one remains under further investigation.
In an unrelated series of raids, police also seized more than 111 kg of syabu (methamphetamine), 419 kg of ecstasy powder, 6.7 kg of ecstasy pills, 71 kg of ketamine, and 25 kg of Erimin in separate incidents across the state. These additional seizures were valued at about RM69.6 million and involved multiple confiscated items including vehicles and mobile phones.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said authorities believe the suspects are linked to the same syndicate operating in Sabah, Klang and neighbouring regions and that further investigations are ongoing. Police have pledged to intensify patrols and operations at key transit points to disrupt drug smuggling networks.
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
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