Malaysians held abroad help crack cross-border drug networks - Home Minister

Malaysians detained abroad on suspicion of drug trafficking have aided Malaysian authorities in uncovering larger criminal networks and arresting several individuals, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced. The Home Minister explained that Malaysia is leveraging police-to-police collaboration and ASEAN platforms to gain access to its citizens detained overseas, enabling authorities to question them and discover potential connections to organized drug syndicates.

Following these interrogations, the authorities have made multiple arrests. Saifuddin emphasized Malaysia's commitment to investigating whether suspects were operating independently or as part of organized criminal networks, as the nation intensifies cooperation with foreign enforcement agencies to curb cross-border drug trafficking.

He made these remarks at a handover ceremony for the newly completed Regional Three Marine Police Headquarters in Tok Bali, Kelantan, following a report that a Malaysian man was detained in Chennai, India, after allegedly attempting to smuggle 3.452 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis into the country on August 31. Saifuddin also revealed that Malaysia is enhancing security measures at its entry points, particularly airports, due to instances where Malaysians left the country before being apprehended at their destinations.

The Home Ministry and Transport Ministry have submitted a Cabinet paper with 17 proposed security measures, involving several agencies such as the police, Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), Immigration Department, Aviation Security, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.