The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has seized nearly 808kg of fentanyl with an estimated value of RM45mil at the KL International Airport cargo complex. The seizure, which occurred just past midnight on Dec 9, marks the Customs’ first encounter with fentanyl, a drug said to be 20 to 40 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. The drug was concealed in 36 boxes.
Datuk Sazali Mohamad, Customs director-general (Enforcement and Compliance), revealed that 72 aluminium containers filled with fentanyl were found at the cargo complex, with the syndicate attempting to deceive authorities by declaring the consignment as fragrance compounds. Sazali also noted that the seized fentanyl could potentially be used by four million drug users.
Fentanyl is typically used for pain relief and anesthesia, similar to morphine, especially for patients experiencing severe pain after surgery. The consignment, which originated from an international airport in India, was in transit at KLIA and was supposed to be flown to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty, life imprisonment, and whipping upon conviction.
Additionally, Sazali disclosed that for the first 11 months of the year, Customs conducted 398 operations and seized various illicit drugs such as heroin, ketamine, cannabis, and methamphetamine worth almost RM295mil. He urged individuals with information on smuggling activities, including illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages, to contact the department at 1800-88-8855, with the assurance that the informant’s identity would be kept confidential.
