Cow Sheds Turned Into Drug Transit Points, Owners Face Risks

PASIR MAS, July 16 (Bernama) -- Cow sheds are now believed to be used as transit points by drug syndicates operating along the Kelantan-Thailand border, exposing shed owners to the risk of being made middlemen for these networks.

General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid stated that although there has been no evidence of direct involvement by the owners, intelligence reports suggest that drugs are being smuggled alongside cattle or goats using the sheds’ logistics network.

“We warn cattle shed owners near the border that they risk becoming middlemen — either willingly, due to the lure of huge profits, or through coercion by the syndicates.

“The syndicates are believed to be using sheds in areas such as Kampung Tualang and Simpangan in Tumpat, as well as Kampung Kubang Pak Itam, Jeram Perdah and Tok Deh in Pasir Mas,” he told Bernama recently.

Recently, the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, together with Kelantan police, seized 35.4 kilogrammes of “pil kuda” (amphetamine pills) worth more than RM5 million in six raids conducted in Pasir Mas and Tumpat.

In one of the raids, 20 kilogrammes of drugs were found hidden in cow dung in a shed owned by a suspect in Banggol Chica, Pasir Mas.

Nik Ros Azhan said that in the first six months of this year, the GOF recorded 34 cases of livestock smuggling with 39 arrests, involving 818 animals — 274 cattle, 18 buffaloes and 526 sheep and goats.

In 2024, the GOF recorded 47 cases with 56 individuals arrested and 80,755 animals seized, comprising 80,025 chickens, 385 cows, 340 sheep and goats, and five buffaloes.

“GOF inspections at several illegal crossings also uncovered ropes tied to tree trunks used for securing cattle, along with traces of dung and hoofprints along the riverbanks.

“It is understood that once the number of cattle is sufficient, they are herded two to three kilometres from the riverbank to illegal sheds before being loaded onto lorries and transported to specific locations,” he said.

He stressed that the GOF will continue to tighten monitoring and stern action will be taken if it is proven that any shed owners are complicit in drug smuggling activities using cattle or goats as a “shield”.

-- BERNAMA