NILAI: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) foiled an attempt to smuggle out 184 kg of methamphetamine worth RM6.62 million in an operation at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Air Cargo Complex on Aug 16.

Customs director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Latif Abdul Kadir said the operation was carried out by a team from its Narcotics Branch who found the clear substance hidden in tea packets which were filled in a number of boxes.

He said the modus operandi of the syndicate was to declare the goods as electrical appliances under the general cargo category to avoid detection by the authorities.

"Our inspection found 184 packets of drugs hidden in 10 boxes, believed to be exported to Asia-Pacific countries.

"Two men aged 35 and 43 were also arrested during the operation," he said at a news conference here today.

Following the arrest, the department raided two separate houses around Nilai and nabbed two local men aged 42 and 45, believed to be the masterminds behind the drug-smuggling syndicate.

Abdul Latif said JKDM believed that this was the eleventh time the syndicate had smuggled out drugs through KLIA using the same tactic, adding that the drugs were obtained from the local market.

"We are tracking down several other individuals believed to be involved with the syndicate," he said.

He said all the suspects were remanded for 14 days from Aug 17 and the case was being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

-- BERNAMA