Kota Kinabalu: Sabah police made its biggest drug bust this year when it crippled an attempt by an international syndicate to smuggle out about 3.4kg of Syabu worth RM1.3 million in Tawau last Saturday.

State Police Commissioner Datuk Pahlawan Hamza Taib said two Vietnamese women aged 29 were arrested at a hotel in Tawau at 11.45pm, after police received a tip-off.

Both suspects may face the death penalty. Police found the drugs in their hotel room.

"Upon arrest, the two led police to their hotel room where the drug was found covered with aluminum and hidden inside a camping backpack in the cupboard.

"We also seized their passports, four handphones and a sling bag from the scene," he told a press conference at Sabah Contingent Police headquarters in Kepayan, Tuesday.

The duo were remanded seven days to facilitate investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug that carries death penalty by hanging, upon conviction. Urine tests on them showed negative results.

"Based on their passports, the two flew from Vietnam to India to pick up the package and then to Kuala Lumpur before ending up in Tawau, as the last destination.

"We believe the package would be picked up by another person involved in the international syndicate in Tawau and to be smuggled out to a neighbouring country," Hamza said.

To a question, he said the two suspects entered Sabah legally for the first time and the police are still investigating whether they are drug mules.

On latest seizure statistics from January to Dec 2, this year, Hamza said about 11,000 people were arrested for committing various drug offences and 80 per cent of them were locals.

He said Sabah police also seized 13,542.89gm Syabu, cannabis (3,283.79gm), Ketamine (1,094.13gm), 80 Ecstasy pills and 245 Eramin pills.

Also present at the press conference were State Narcotic Investigation Department chief Supt. Abdul Rahim Dolmat and other officials.