S'porean man, 29, allegedly offered S$4,000 to bring luggage to London, caught in M'sia with 19kg of suspected cannabis flowers worth S$480,500

A 29-year-old Singaporean man was arrested at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh, Malaysia, after police discovered about 19kg of suspected cannabis flowers in his luggage.

The man had allegedly responded to an online job offer promising RM12,685 (S$4,010) to transport luggage to London, which he was led to believe contained counterfeit luxury goods, according to Malay Mail.

The suspected drugs had an estimated value of RM1.52 million (S$480,500).

Suspect was headed to London via Singapore

The suspect was scheduled to fly from Ipoh to Singapore before continuing to London, Perak police chief Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said at a press conference.

According to The Star, Mohd Alwi said: "From our investigation, the individual was on his way to deliver contraband to London via transit in Singapore."

Police suspect the syndicate used less busy airports to transport drugs in passengers' luggage and avoid detection.

36 packages found in luggage

The suspect was arrested after his luggage was flagged during a check by auxiliary police personnel at the airport at around 6:20am on Nov. 8.

A subsequent inspection uncovered 36 plastic packages containing dried leaves suspected to be cannabis flowers, or buds, weighing approximately 19.04kg.

Police estimated that the seized quantity could have supplied about 47,900 drug users.

The case was referred to Perak's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, along with the confiscated items, for further investigation.

Suspect travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh

The Star reported that the Singaporean man had arrived in Malaysia on Nov. 7.

He initially flew to Kuala Lumpur and stayed at a hotel in Kajang, Selangor, before travelling to Ipoh in an e-hailing vehicle.

Police believe he collected the luggage containing the suspected drugs while in Kajang.

Mohd Alwi said preliminary urine tests on the suspect returned negative results for drugs, according to Malay Mail.

Police checks also found that he had no previous criminal record.

The man was remanded for seven days to assist investigations.