Perak police seize RM13m in drugs hidden as ‘dried durian’ after North-South Expressway chase
IPOH, Oct 8 — Perak police seized drugs worth nearly RM13 million hidden in plastic packages labelled “dried durian” following a chase involving a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) along the North-South Expressway near Slim River on Monday.
Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the incident occurred around 1.30pm when a highway patrol unit ordered a Honda Stream to pull over at KM 374 southbound after the vehicle was spotted behaving suspiciously.
However, he said, the driver refused to stop and sped off before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into a nearby jungle.
“A search of the vehicle uncovered 15 black gunny sacks containing 374 kilograms of drugs believed to be methamphetamine.
“Police also found a black plastic bag containing 11.28 kilograms of heroin base,” he said during a press conference at the Perak Police Headquarters here.
Noor Hisam said the total market value of the drugs was estimated at RM12,945,603, with enough supply to serve approximately 3.7 million addicts.
He explained that the drugs were packed in plastic bags marked “dried durian” in an apparent attempt to deceive authorities.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed the drugs were believed to have been transported from a northern state to be distributed in the Klang Valley.
“Checks on the MPV’s registration number showed that the vehicle was not stolen but registered under a woman’s name.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine the woman’s connection to the driver and front-seat passenger. We will be calling the registered owner in for further questioning,” he said.
He also said both suspects who fled into the jungle have yet to be found, and efforts are underway to track them down.
“Further investigations are being carried out under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.
