The stench of goat dung may mask a hidden drug trade near Thai border
Thai authorities say Kelantan-based syndicates are now mimicking a long-used tactic by regional smugglers: burying narcotics under piles of animal waste to evade detection by sight and scent.
"This method is used to avoid detection by enforcement agencies.
"Authorities in the neighbouring country have been aware of this tactic for several years and have successfully foiled several attempts involving it," the source said.
One such case involved a syndicate that hid methamphetamine pills known locally as 'pil kuda', under goat dung.
"The drugs were first wrapped in plastic and then buried underground before being covered with animal waste to mask their presence," the sources told New Straits Times.
It is understood that local syndicates in Kelantan have begun to emulate this technique, particularly those operating near the Malaysia-Thailand border.
The tactic, while unconventional, provides traffickers with a strategic advantage by making the drugs harder to detect visually or through scent especially when using livestock pens as camouflage.
It is learnt that authorities in Kelantan especially the police, are now on high alert, with cross-border intelligence sharing being strengthened to monitor and intercept such smuggling methods.
Investigations are ongoing to identify individuals and groups who may be replicating these tactics.
It was reported that police have crippled a major drug syndicate distributing methamphetamine pills with the seizure of more than 35.4kg of the drug worth RM5.04 million in six raids in Pasir Mas and Tumpat recently.
Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department acting director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che said five men and a woman were arrested in the raids.
He said some 20kg of pills were found in a cattle shed.
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