Singaporean Man Arrested At Ipoh Airport With RM1.52 Million In Cannabis Flowers Bound For London

IPOH, Nov 10 – Police arrested a 29-year-old Singaporean national and seized 19.04 kilograms of suspected cannabis flowers valued at RM1.52 million at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) in Ipoh on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin revealed at a press conference on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, that airport police intercepted the unemployed suspect during routine luggage scanning at the check-in counter.

The suspect was booked on a commercial flight from Ipoh to Singapore, with a connecting flight to London, England. A physical search of his check-in baggage revealed 36 transparent plastic packages packed with dried leafy materials identified as cannabis flowers.

Urine screening tests returned negative for drug consumption, and criminal record checks confirmed the suspect had no prior offenses. Police estimate the seized narcotics could have supplied up to 47,900 users.

Preliminary investigations indicate the suspect fell prey to a syndicate recruitment scheme advertised on a website, which offered SG$4,000 (RM12,687) to transport luggage purportedly containing counterfeit luxury goods to London. The illicit consignment reportedly originated from a drug syndicate operating out of Kajang, Selangor.

The suspect traveled from Kajang to Ipoh via an e-hailing service on Saturday, November 7, and stayed at a local hotel prior to his departure flight.

Magistrates have remanded the suspect for seven days starting Monday, November 9, to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries mandatory capital punishment or life imprisonment upon conviction. The arrest represents Perak’s second-largest narcotics seizure in 2026.

Seizure Metrics, Modus Operandi, and Legal Proceedings

Key drug enforcement metrics, syndicate methods, and statutory charges include:

• Suspect Profile: 29-year-old unemployed Singaporean male (negative urine test, zero criminal record).
• Seizure Value & Weight: 19.04 kg of cannabis flowers across 36 plastic packages (valued at RM1.52 million).
• Flight Route: Ipoh (LTSAS) $\rightarrow$ Singapore $\rightarrow$ London, England.
• Syndicate Modus Operandi: Luring drug mules with high-paying job ads (SG$4,000 / RM12,687) under the guise of carrying fake luxury goods.
• Origin & Logistics: Supplied by a Kajang-based syndicate; transported to Ipoh via e-hailing.
• Statutory Investigation: Remanded for 7 days under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

–NMT