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THE Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is awaiting intelligence from Myanmar’s anti-narcotics authorities following the dismantling of a major cross-border drug trafficking syndicate believed to be responsible for smuggling narcotics into Malaysia.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that investigations are ongoing in close cooperation with Myanmar officials.
“It is still under investigation and we are working closely with the anti-narcotics authorities in Myanmar,” he told a press conference at Pulapol Kuala Lumpur. “We are still waiting for several details from their side.”
On Sunday, it was reported that police are investigating possible domestic links to an international drug syndicate after Myanmar authorities intercepted a massive haul of illicit substances.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that local networks may have been in collaboration with the international group.
According to Myanmar news reports, the country’s anti-drug task force raided a warehouse in Shwepyitha township, Yangon, on 5 September, arresting six suspects and seizing 1,840 kilograms of methamphetamine, four million stimulant pills, and 14 kilograms of heroin.
Authorities there believe the drugs were sourced from Shan State and were en route to Malaysia, with markets extending to Bangladesh, Western nations and the Middle East. The suspects have alleged ties to the Arakan Army, an armed insurgent group.
In a separate operation last month, Myanmar police seized amphetamine, ketamine and methamphetamine worth an estimated RM300 million (USD71 million) following the arrest of several syndicate leaders.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in Penang seized over RM7.7 million worth of contraband cigarettes hidden in two containers at West Port in Port Klang on 15 and 20 August.
State Customs director Datuk Rohizad Ali said the containers, which arrived from Thailand and were declared as carrying items such as handkerchiefs and tissues, were actually filled with 25,900 cartons of white cigarettes. The cargo was reportedly on its way to the Republic of Congo, using Malaysia as a transhipment point.
The case is being investigated under Sections 52(1), 52(3), and 52(4) of the Customs Act 1967.
In a separate raid on 29 August, Customs officers uncovered another illicit cigarette storage operation concealed within a light industrial engineering facility in Tupai, Taiping.
“A warehouse at the site was used to store smuggled cigarettes. We found over two million white cigarettes and 254,400 kretek cigarettes, valued at RM2.34 million,” said Rohizad.
A local man in his 50s, believed to be the factory owner, was detained. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1) of the Customs Act 1967.
From January to 31 August, Penang Customs recorded 214 smuggling cases involving contraband cigarettes, narcotics, alcohol, currency, and other prohibited goods, with a total estimated value of RM75.22 million. - September 17, 2025
