KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has been proactive in the fight against major drug-smuggling cartels, says Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
He said the police force views seriously the Prime Minister’s recent remarks highlighting the presence of a powerful international syndicate targeting Malaysia as a transit hub.
"It further strengthened the government’s resolve to combat long-standing cross-border drug networks.
"The Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) has been maintaining heightened surveillance on international drug-distribution networks that rely heavily on maritime routes and cargo containers as their primary modus operandi," he said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 16).
Mohd Khalid was responding to remarks by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a meet-the-media session in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.
The IGP said among the cases that drew global attention was the seizure of 336kg of heroin by the Australian Border Force (ABF) on March 13, 2023.
"Joint investigations revealed that the container believed to be carrying the drugs had transited through Port Klang before heading to its final destination in Australia.
*This incident formed the basis for strengthened intelligence-sharing and regional enforcement coordination," he added.
Mohd Khalid said following the case, the NCID worked closely with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), culminating in the establishment of a joint taskforce, agreed upon during the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov 6, 2024.
"The taskforce focuses on dismantling transnational drug syndicates operating between Malaysia and Australia, particularly those exploiting the cargo-container system.
"Under this collaboration, Malaysian police and the AFP launched several major operations," he said.
The major operations included the seizure of 33.2 tonnes of syabu, worth RM1.06bil, at Port Klang on Jan 25 this year.
"The container is believed to have originated from central Asia before transiting through Malaysia en route to Australia," he said.
Another breakthrough is the discovery of 45kg of syabu, valued at RM1.44mil, hidden in a specially concealed compartment at the top of a cargo container on Nov 7.
"The shipment is also believed to have come from central Asia and transited through Port Klang before heading to Australia," he added.
Mohd Khalid said the successful operations reflect the force’s capability and commitment in strengthening international intelligence-sharing to curb large-scale drug-trafficking activities.
*Through this cooperation, the police continue to monitor every identified network and are intensifying follow-up actions with both domestic and foreign enforcement agencies to completely dismantle the syndicates," he lamented.
In line with the Prime Minister’s firm stance, the IGP reiterated that there will be no compromise against any party that violates the law or threatens national security and societal well-being.
"The force will continue to step up intelligence efforts, operations, and inter-agency cooperation at both national and international levels to ensure all drug-related threats are suppressed effectively and continuously for the safety of the Malaysian public," he added.
