By Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
Pix by Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
KOTA BARU: Police are aware that some Malaysians are crossing into Thailand, particularly to Sungai Golok town, to obtain drugs and traffic them into Malaysia.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the police were closely monitoring the situation and working with their Thai counterpart to take action against those involved.
“We are aware that some individuals are travelling across the border to source drugs.
“This matter is under continuous monitoring, and the Thai police are also taking action on their side,” he told reporters here today.
However, Hussein said the department’s main concern was the large volume of drugs like yaba (pil kuda) smuggled into Malaysia through the Kelantan border before being distributed to other states.
“This has a serious impact because the quantities involved are large.
“Many Malaysians are affected by these drugs, and some are also exported to other countries, which tarnishes the country’s image as it is being used as a transit point by international drug syndicates,” he added.
Earlier, Hussein, accompanied by his deputy Datuk Mat Zani@Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali and Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, held a press conference to announce the seizure of cannabis buds worth RM1.82 million in Kuala Krai on Jan 3.
Hussein said Bukit Aman would intensify intelligence sharing and information exchange with law enforcement agencies in Asean countries and other nations linked to the drug trafficking networks.
He also revealed that cannabis buds were now among the latest drugs in high demand, not only in the local market, but also internationally.
“The prices of cannabis buds are more than five times higher than other forms of cannabis.
“This makes it very attractive to syndicates, which is why we are seeing an increase in attempts to traffic this part of the plant,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
