Sabah police commissioner Jauteh Dikun said officers from the narcotics criminal investigation department and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency arrested a 36-year-old man at KKIA at about 11.15pm on March 11.

“An inspection of three boxes at the international arrivals baggage area found a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, weighing 30.30kg and estimated to be worth RM1.5 million,” Bernama reported him as saying at the Sabah police headquarters in Kepayan today.

He said the suspect, a freelance architectural worker, was remanded until March 20 to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

On March 13, a 42-year-old man was detained at a vehicle storage facility in Tawau on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Police seized three plastic packages containing 3.07kg of methamphetamine worth about RM153,000.

A subsequent raid on a double-storey house in Kampung Jawa led to the arrest of two men and a woman between 36 and 73 years of age.

A search of the premises uncovered 20 packets of suspected methamphetamine weighing 20.48kg, with an estimated value of RM1.024 million.

“The suspects have been remanded until March 22 for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (for drug trafficking),” said Jauteh.

None of the suspects tested positive for drugs or had criminal records.