Cops to step up border security after Thailand legalises growing pot

MELAKA: Bukit Aman will step up vigilance along the peninsula's northern border following Thailand's decision to legalise the cultivation and possession of marijuana.

Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (pic) said the move by Thailand poses a challenge to Malaysia's efforts to curb the abuse of marijuana.

“The decision will impact us as it would make it easy for traffickers and addicts to smuggle (the substance),” he told the media after attending a seminar launched by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka here on Sunday (June 12).

Comm Ayob Khan said surveillance at the border would be strengthened to curb attempts to smuggle in marijuana.

“We managed to foil an attempt to smuggle 860kg of marijuana from Thailand to Penang on Saturday (June 11)," he said.

ALSO READ: Thailand legalises growing, consumption of marijuana

Thailand legalised the growing of marijuana and its consumption in food and drink on Thursday (June 9), making it the first Asian country to do so.

However, smoking it is still against the law there.

Separately, Comm Ayob Khan said police have made a suggestion to the Home Ministry to amend several Acts relating to drug offences following the emergence of new types of synthetic drugs, especially syabu.