Police Committed To Cripple Activities Of Local And International Drug Cartels - IGP
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) — The Royal Malaysia Police affirms its continuous commitment to scrutinising every identified international drug cartel network, thereby strengthening phased follow-up action with domestic and foreign enforcement agencies to completely cripple the operations of these syndicates.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's assertion regarding the existence of a large drug smuggling cartel into Malaysia further reinforces the determination of the government and police to combat this transnational organised crime activity.
He stated that the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) continuously monitors international drug distribution networks that use sea routes and cargo containers as their modus operandi, including the seizure of 336 kilograms of heroin by the Australian Border Force (ABF) on March 13, 2023, which was believed to have transited through Port Klang before heading to Australia.
"Following this, the police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) conducted a joint investigation before establishing a Joint Taskforce during the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow on Nov 6, 2024, focusing on syndicates operating between the two countries.
"Through this close cooperation, several major operations have been successfully executed, including the seizure of 33.2 tonnes of syabu (methamphetamine) valued at RM1.062 billion at Port Klang on January 25, 2025, and 45 kilograms of syabu valued at RM1.44 million on Nov 7, 2025, both involving containers from Central Asia that transited in Malaysia before proceeding to Australia," he said in a statement today.
According to Mohd Khalid, the results of this strategic cooperation prove police’s capability to enhance international intelligence sharing to fight large-scale drug smuggling.
"In line with the Prime Minister's firm stance, PDRM asserts that there will be no compromise against any party that violates the law and threatens national security.
"PDRM will continue to intensify intelligence, operations, and collaboration at both national and international levels to ensure that every form of drug threat can be continuously contained," he said.
The media today reported that Anwar, during a breakfast and casual chat session with the Sabah media in Kota Kinabalu, revealed the existence of a large cartel, smuggling drugs into the country, which he had heard about for the past 20 years with no action taken.
Anwar also raised questions about the matter with the responsible agencies, following many people talking about it, while emphasising that he would not tolerate the issue and informing that he meets with the heads of agencies every week for one hour.
-- BERNAMA
