BERNAMApic
KOTA BARU: Drug seizures in Kelantan have dropped by nearly 60% following the closure of illegal bases along the Kelantan-Thailand border on Dec 1, says state police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat (pic).
There was, however, a rise in drug addict arrests, he added.
Comm Yusoff attributed the disruption of drug flow into the region to tighter border controls and the enforcement of the Restricted Areas and Prohibited Places Act 1959, which enables targeted monitoring in high-risk areas.
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Drug seizures in the first quarter of this year amounted to RM2.23mil, compared to RM5.82mil in the same period last year.
"This means we’ve reduced the value of seized drugs by RM3.05mil.
"While arrests of drug addicts have risen, the volume of drugs entering the state has dropped significantly,” he told a press conference at state police contingent headquarters here on Wednesday (April 9).
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However, he warned of a new challenge where syndicates would attempt to smuggle drugs via sea routes in Kuala Besar and Kuala Tapai.
"We are working with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to address this growing threat,” he added.
The police chief thanked all security agencies for their efforts and urged the public to continue supporting anti-drug initiatives for the state’s safety. – Bernama
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