Chinese Tea Boxes Hiding $3 Million Worth of Ketamine Discovered in Malaysia

Malaysian authorities found 254 kilograms (559 pounds) of ketamine — believed to have a market value of 4.1 million Singapore dollars (approximately $3 million) — in a recent anti-drug operation conducted in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The large amount of drugs were seized by the Special Tactical Intelligence Group at KLIA2 at around 5:30 p.m. on October 24, according to Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigations Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh, AsiaOne reported.

The drugs were hidden in six boxes, each containing 248 packets of Chinese tea which were supposed to be shipped to Taipei, Taiwan.

“We believe syndicate members were using KLIA as a transit point. The drugs can cater to some 850,000 addicts,” Comm Mohmad said at a press conference at the KLIA police district headquarters on Monday.

Initial investigations also revealed that the crime syndicate, which was active for over a year, also attempted to disguise the drugs as garments.

“We managed to uncover the ruse with the co-operation of Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB). This bust is a follow-up to last month’s seizure of 30.5 kg of heroin in Taiwan. We believe both seizures are connected as the address of both sender and receiver is the same,” he said, adding that the sender hailed from the Klang Valley.

Since 2012, with the help of MJIB as well international agencies like the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Comm Mohmad has successfully made “73 arrests, including 19 foreigners, along with seizures of 1,205 kilograms (2,656 pounds) of drugs and more than four million pills worth 103 million Malaysian Ringgit ($24.3 million).”

KLIA OCPD Asst Comm Zulkifli Adamsah and Bukit Aman NCID deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Kang Chez Chiang were also present at the press conference after the operation, which was dubbed as the biggest drug haul conducted at the cargo hub this year.