Malaysian police reveal three key drug smuggling methods: deep sea routes, drug mules, and port container abuse, with RM3.1 billion in drugs seized this year.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police have identified three primary methods used by drug syndicates to smuggle illicit substances into and out of the country.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the main modus operandi are deep sea routes, the use of drug mules, and the exploitation of container services at ports.
He said the methods were identified following extensive operational activities and intelligence analysis from January until last Thursday.
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Elaborating on the deep-sea transit method, Hussein said syndicates typically use fishing vessels to venture into international waters.
Drug consignments are transferred from “mother ships” before being brought into Malaysian waters.
He cited the success of Op Gombe on April 23, launched following intelligence on smuggling from the Golden Triangle to Australia via Terengganu.
The operation led to the arrest of two local men and the seizure of 590 kilogrammes of drugs worth an estimated RM24.9 million.
Hussein added that syndicates also recruit individuals as drug mules through social media and messaging applications.
“These individuals were lured with promises of free holiday packages and lucrative salaries, only to be exploited as drug mules,” he said.
The syndicates employed various concealment methods, including strapping drugs to bodies, ingesting packets, and hiding them in luggage.
On the abuse of container services, Hussein said syndicates exploit the international cargo delivery system.
They declare legitimate goods in customs documentation while concealing large quantities of drugs.
He highlighted Op Borzoi on Jan 25, conducted with the Australian Federal Police on methamphetamine destined for Sydney.
That operation led to the seizure of 33,200 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth an estimated RM1.06 billion.
Another operation, Op Virola on Nov 7, uncovered meth smuggling from Middle Eastern countries transiting through Port Klang.
It resulted in the seizure of 45 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth an estimated RM1.44 million.
From January until last Thursday, the NCID dismantled 270 drug trafficking syndicates through 609 operations.
These efforts resulted in the arrest of 737 individuals and the raiding of 19 illegal drug laboratories.
A total of 52 suspects, including four chemists, were arrested from the labs.
Authorities seized 215 tonnes of drugs and chemical substances with an estimated black market value of RM3.1 billion.
During the same period, 234,567 investigation papers were opened under the Dangerous Drugs Act and Poisons Act.
The cases involved 255,248 arrests, with 67% brought to court.
Enforcement actions also resulted in the seizure of RM141 million in assets and the forfeiture of RM29 million.
Additionally, 808 individuals were detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. – Bernama
