KUALA LUMPUR: The growing threat posed by the trafficking and abuse of synthetic drugs, mainly methamphetamine, psychoactive pills known as Piu Piu and fentanyl is a focus of the Home Ministry.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said these emerging drugs have become a major concern due to their high risk of addiction, fatal overdoses and their link to rising crime and social problems.
He said, between 2023 and June this year, police recorded 238,704 arrests nationwide for various synthetic drug-related offences.
“To address this issue, police have intensified operations, including Ops Tapis and Ops Tapis Khas, across urban, rural and remote areas with agencies such as the National Anti-Drugs Agency and the Customs Department.
“Modern technologies, including drones and surveillance cameras, are also being fully utilised to detect and curb drug trafficking activities,” he said in a written parliamentary reply posted on the Dewan Rakyat website, Bernama reported.
Saifuddin Nasution said strict enforcement continues under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and other relevant legislation.
The government was also considering amendments to the Act to include newly emerging synthetic drugs or new psychoactive substances under the Act’s schedules.
“Besides enforcement, preventive measures through a community policing approach are also being strengthened.
“Between 2023 and June this year, a total of 1,144 drug prevention programmes were carried out nationwide to raise public awareness,” he said.
On the situation in Sarawak, the minister said 7,097 suspects were arrested between January and June 7 this year, comprising 342 drug traffickers, 1,314 individuals found in possession of drugs and 5,441 drug users.
Over the same period, authorities seized 418.01kg of drugs valued at RM53.73mil while 13 persons were detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
He said action was also taken against 131 hardcore drug addicts under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act while syndicate assets worth RM1.95mil were seized.
Saifuddin Nasution said forensic laboratory capabilities are continuously enhanced to profile trends involving new synthetic drugs, including fentanyl analogues and synthetic opioids, enabling faster detection and more effective enforcement action.
