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A married couple believed to be the masterminds behind a major drug trafficking syndicate in Sibu, Sarawak, were charged in the Sibu Magistrates' Court yesterday, 2 July, for multiple drug-related offences
According to Bernama, the husband, Tie Teck Hock, 52, faces the first charge of trafficking 1,030.8g of methamphetamine near a coffeeshop along Jalan Pedada around 10pm on 12 June.
In the second charge, Tie and his wife, Lee Chee Fei, 45, are jointly accused of trafficking 6,055.9g of methamphetamine found in a storeroom under the staircase of a house in Taman Permai Jaya about 10.45pm the same day.
They also face a third and fourth charge for possessing 2,078.9g of ketamine and 2,022.15g of nimetazepam at the same location.
All charges were read to them in Foochow before Magistrate Oon Kork Chern. No plea was recorded by the couple.
The first two charges fall under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and are punishable under Section 39B(2), which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. If not sentenced to death, a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane must be imposed upon conviction.
The remaining charges are framed under Section 12(2) of the same Act and are punishable under Section 12(3), read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If found guilty, the couple could face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to RM100,000, or both.
The court set 22 August for further mention of the case pending a chemistry report, and ordered the couple to remain in custody at Sibu Prison.
Deputy public prosecutor Nuralisa Natasha Nazrulzam led the prosecution, while lawyer Reena Chong represented the accused.
According to earlier reports, the couple were arrested following a series of raids by the Sibu District Narcotics Crime Investigation Department on 12 and 13 June
The operations targeted a business premises in Pusat Pedada and two terrace houses in Lorong Permai Jaya.
The Borneo Post reported that authorities seized a total of 11kg of drugs — including 7,086.7g of methamphetamine, 2,078.9g of ketamine, and 2,022.6g of nimetazepam — with a combined estimated street value of RM532,934.40.
Police also confiscated RM5,157,450 in cash, four gold bars, two gold chains, three Rolex watches, and three vehicles — a Lexus RX350F Sport, a Lexus ES250, and a Toyota Vios — bringing the total asset value to RM7,997,450.
Items believed to be linked to the drug operation, such as bank cards, house keys, and packaging materials, were also seized.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the combined value of drugs and assets seized amounted to RM8,530,384.40 — the largest of its kind in the state's history
Initial investigations revealed that the couple had been operating the syndicate in Sibu since 2015, sourcing drugs from Peninsular Malaysia via courier services and distributing them locally.
Both suspects tested negative for drugs and have no prior criminal records.
The police described the bust as a major success in the fight against drug trafficking, and are actively tracking down other members of the syndicate still at large.
