Narcotics chief says working with S’pore police leads to success
MIRI: The Malaysian Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department ( NCID) arrested 49,082 drug offenders and seized RM77.74 million worth of drugs in the first three months (Jan to March) this year.
Out of those who were arrested for various drug offences (supply, possession and consumption), 2,064 are foreigners including 14 Singaporeans.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference here yesterday, Federal police ( Bukit Aman) NCID director Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the arrests of the Singaporeans was due to close and strong bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore in combating the drug issues in both countries.
NCID and Central Narcotics Bureau ( CNB) Singapore delegation led by its director Ng Ser Song are here for a two- day 64th Bilateral Meeting between the two countries, which started yesterday.
Mohd Mokhtar said Malaysia and Singapore have been working closely over the years not just in carrying out operations to foil drug syndicates in both countries but also in sharing information and intelligence.
“Last year, in 2016, the NCIB and CNB launched an operation which resulted in the arrest of 17 drug syndicate members involved in drug trafficking and seizure of about RM2.3 million worth of drug ( ketamine 25.2kg worth RM1.3 million and heroin 27kg worth RM1 million).
“In 2015, we also carried out two operations which led to the arrest of 10 individuals and seizure of 121kg of Methamphetamine and 4,450 pieces of Eramin 5 worth RM24 million,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ser Song said Singapore is committed to working closely with NCIB.
He said drug trafficking is a global threat and that no country is spared from the harm it inflicts.
“Drug trafficking syndicates take advantage of increasing globalisation and advances in technology to expand their trade,” Ser Song said.
He also noted that the emergence and proliferation of New Psychoactive Substances ( NPS) also adds to the challenges faced by all drug enforcement agencies.
“According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC), there were at least 643 NPS identified as at 2015, a significant increase from 126 in 2009.
“Against such a fast- evolving situation, law enforcement agencies mustenhancecooperation and share information, knowledge and best practices to strengthen our collective efforts in the fight against drug,” he noted.
The 64th Bilateral Meeting between the two organisations yesterday among others discussed on the country’s best practices, current trends, NPS, law enforcement, intelligence exchange, capacity building and best practices.
When asked on new threats and tactics used by the drug syndicates in recent years, Mohd Mokhtar said most of them have shifted from traditional drugs to NPS.
“Before this, we have traditional drugs (Cannabis and Heroin). Now we have party drugs ( synthetic drugs) and now we have NPS.
“Drugs were also sold online. And these drugs were transported using various types of means and these drug syndicates never stop thinking how to outsmart the authorities,” he added.
On another note, Mohd Mohktar praised the media for playing an active role in publishing success stories of the police in combating the crime. He said, by doing that, the media help to boost the public’s confidence in the police force and encourage them to become the eyes and ears to the police.
The two- day bilateral meeting ends today.