Malaysia steps up drug enforcement, with increased arrests, seizures

November 22, 2013
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Police arrested 11,235 suspected drug dealers between January and October and increased drug-related asset seizures by two-thirds from the same time period last year, local media reported Thursday (November 21st).

The Narcotics Department seized RM 311.2m ($97m) and arrested 133,314 drug abusers, according to New Strait Times. This includes 7.32 tonnes of drugs, 42,273 litres of liquid methamphetamine and 691,818 kuda (methamphetamine) pills.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Department Director Noor Rashid Ibrahim said assets seized from dealers increased 66% to RM 81.7m ($25.5m). These assets include properties and cars, Bernama reported.

Police also stopped several attempts to smuggle drugs into the country in the past week. Eight people and RM 1.8m ($561,000) in drugs were seized in operations conducted Friday and Monday.

In one case, police found 3.4kg of methamphetamine hidden in 160 phone chargers. Five people were arrested in the Monday operation in Jilan Ipoh, according to The Star.

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