PETALING JAYA: Drug seizures at KL International Airport (KLIA) have surged nearly sixfold between January and July this year compared to the same period last year.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said 1.35 tonnes of drugs worth an estimated RM108.35mil were seized during the period, compared with just 235kg worth RM18.46mil in the same period last year.
He said 121 people were arrested during the seven-month period, up from 57 suspects in the corresponding period in 2025.
"Based on current trends, NCID has detected attempts by both international and local syndicates to change their modus operandi by smuggling cannabis flowers into the country," he said in a statement on Saturday (Aug 1).
Comm Hussein said 1.25 tonnes of cannabis flowers were seized this year, compared with only 82.98kg during the same period last year.
He said NCID's enforcement efforts were not limited to screening at KLIA entry points, but were also driven by effective intelligence gathering and swift follow-up operations by the KLIA district NCID.
These efforts, he said, led to the dismantling of syndicate networks through five operations in Sepang and Seremban.
He also expressed his appreciation to JSJN personnel and the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) auxiliary police for their commitment and cooperation.
