KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s strategic location and extensive transport networks have made the country vulnerable to exploitation by international drug syndicates seeking to move illicit substances across borders, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic).
The Home Minister said police intelligence and enforcement operations have identified the risk of Malaysia being used as a transit point for international drug smuggling and trafficking activities.
He said organised crime syndicates could take advantage of the country’s extensive air, land and maritime connections to bring drugs into Malaysia, either for distribution in the domestic market or onward shipment to other countries.
“Based on intelligence findings and enforcement operations by the police, Malaysia has been identified as facing the threat of being exploited as one of the transit routes for international drug smuggling and trafficking activities,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
Saifuddin Nasution said the police, through the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, were intensifying intelligence gathering and enforcement operations to dismantle entire trafficking networks rather than focusing solely on those directly handling the drugs.
“This includes suppliers, those coordinating the movement of drugs, financiers and distributors, alongside strengthening cooperation with international enforcement agencies. Controls at airports, ports and land borders are also being reinforced to curb smuggling activities.”
Saifuddin Nasution also revealed that the Cabinet had approved a joint memorandum between the Home Ministry and Transport Ministry on Aug 19.
He said the memorandum concerned a proposed security improvement and mitigation action plan aimed at strengthening security controls and screening procedures at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and other international entry points.
