Drug seizures in Malaysia almost triple that of 2008

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian customs police have seized a total of 52.1 million ringgit (14.9 million dollars) worth of drugs this year, a whopping 195.6-per-cent increase over 2008, a news report said Tuesday. Most of the drugs were seized at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport during passenger and luggage checks, said customs director- general Ibrahim Jaapar.

Last year, 17.6 million ringgit (5 million dollars) worth of drugs were seized.

"The modus operandi for smuggling drugs has become more sophisticated," Ibrahim was quoted as saying by the Star daily.

He said smugglers would dip clothes into liquid drugs and then dry them in order to "hide" the presence of the drugs, adding that the smugglers would have to dip the fabrics into water again to recover the drugs.

Ibrahim said customs officers would tighten security at all entry points into the country, with special emphasis on passengers from the Middle East and India.

Malaysia's tough drug laws prescribes a mandatory death sentence for those guilty of smuggling or trafficking most types of drugs.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/301290,drug-seizures-in-malaysia-almost-triple-that-of-2008.html.