KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Customs Department's efforts in ramping up its fight against drug trade and smuggling activities have achieved significant successes in recent months.
Its assistant director-general Siti Mang said the department recorded 163 drug-related cases and seized a variety of narcotics including cannabis, ecstasy, ketamine and psilocybin (hallucinogenic mushrooms) estimated to value RM440,000.
She said a total of seven people, aged between 19 and 53, were arrested for smuggling.
"The Customs also intercepted large quantities of items like 555.6-litre alcoholic beverages, 146,650 sticks of cigarette and 1,600g of tobacco, with a combined street value of over RM183,000," she added.
In addition, the department also seized nearly three tonnes of ketum leaves and powder, a substance increasingly trafficked in the region, Siti said.
"The persistence of smuggling activities poses a serious threat not only to public health and safety but also the national security,” she said.
She noted that smugglers have adopted more sophisticated methods to evade detection, such as concealing the drugs in hidden locations within business premises or using courier and public transport services to distribute contraband.
She assured that all identities would be kept confidential.
