KUALA LUMPUR: Just five weeks into 2010, the authorities have already nabbed 34 Iranians for attempting to smuggle in drugs in their luggage.

"Last year, a total of 24 Iranians were arrested for trying to smuggle in about 12.8kg of methamphetamine," Federal Narcotics director Comm Datuk Zulhasanan Najib Baharudin said.

They had smuggled the designer drug methamphetamine or locally-known as syabu which fetched the high price of about RM250,000 (S$103,275) a kg, he told a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.

Apart from the 34 Iranians, Comm Zulhasanan said three locals, one Singaporean and one Filipino were also arrested during this period.

Police seized 41.97kg of methamphetamine was seized during 11 raids and seizures during the period worth RM10.5mil (S$4.33 mil). A total of RM225,850 (S$93,298) in cash was also seized.

The 39 people detained, aged between 15 and 58, comprised of 36 men and 3 women. A 15-year-old girl was detained for questioning after her Iranian parents were caught attempting to smuggle syabu.

Most of the arrests took place at the KL International Airport. Some were nabbed at posh hotels or residences which led to the busting of two international drug syndicates based in the country.

"The modus operandi of the smugglers include swallowing capsules of 7gm to 10gm each, ranging from 80 to 200 capsules per person, depending on their body size.

"Other popular methods include hiding the drugs inside bags or containers or soaking the clothes in drug solutions."

Comm Zulhasanan said that methamphetamine was mostly manufactured in Iran before it was brought to Dubai as a transit point and then making its way to Malaysia and distributed locally or sent to neighbouring countries.