NCID enhances efforts at curbing drug trafficking

KUCHING，29 July: The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) will conduct a thorough investigation into air border control, particularly at national airport routes, as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking syndicates believed to be using Sarawak as a transit point for distributing illicit substances to international markets.

Bukit Aman NCID director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said there are gaps in airport security, particularly in the baggage handling and courier system processes, which have allowed syndicates to bypass existing security checks.

“One of the reasons is the lack of assets. For example, we may need to increase resources like sniffer dogs (K9 units), x-ray scanners capable of detecting drugs concealed within courier packages or luggage.

“We also do not rule out the possibility of insider involvement, which is something we are currently investigating. Our intelligence operations are ongoing to uncover how these activities manage to slip through,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters here today (July 28), following the NCID’s success in busting a drug syndicate distributing syabu (methamphetamine) worth RM3.07 million in Sarawak.
Hussein stressed that this is not the first time syndicates have attempted to use Sarawak as a major transit point for drug trafficking and such attempts are believed to be continuing.

At the same time, he emphasised that NCID will intensify collaboration with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).

“NCID, under the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), has its own officers stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as does AKPS. We need to strengthen cooperation, recognising that while each agency has a different focus, their areas of operation often overlap.

“This concerns domestic routes meaning inter-state flights. It proves there are existing security gaps that allow drugs to pass through airports and reach Kuching. This is one of the key areas we intend to tighten through intelligence and enforcement,” he said.