Hong Kong's first ever 800kg fentanyl seizure has an India connection, investigators reveal

In Malaysia’s first-ever fentanyl seizure at Kuala Lumpur International Airport cargo complex, Malaysian customs officials successfully intercepted a staggering 808kg of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of 45 million ringgits (US$9.6 million).

Fentanyl is known to be 20 to 40 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Spearheading the operation, Sazali Mohamad, the customs director general for enforcement and compliance, disclosed that the illicit drug was cleverly concealed in 36 boxes, discovered just past midnight on December 9 at the cargo complex.

Speaking to reporters at the narcotics headquarters on Monday, he detailed, “Upon inspecting the contents, we uncovered 72 aluminum containers filled with fentanyl.”

The perpetrators attempted to mislead authorities by falsely declaring the shipment as fragrance compounds.

The seized fentanyl, commonly used for medical purposes as an analgesic and anesthetic, had the potential to cater to the habits of up to four million drug users.

The consignment, traced back to an international airport in India, was en route to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Sazali emphasized that the case is under investigation pursuant to Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, carrying severe penalties including the death penalty, life imprisonment, and whipping upon conviction.

Providing additional context, Sazali highlighted that, over the first 11 months of this year, customs executed 398 operations, resulting in the seizure of various illicit drugs such as heroin, ketamine, cannabis, and methamphetamine valued at nearly 295 million ringgit.