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New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
The stench of goat dung may mask a hidden drug trade near Thai border
KOTA BARU: The scent of goat dung is proving more than just unpleasant—it's becoming a smokescreen for drug traffickers operating near the Malaysia-Thailand 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.
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Kelantan influencer, family arrested in RM5mil drug bust
KOTA BARU: The arrest of a 34-year-old influencer, her husband, and several family members in connection with drug trafficking reflects the police's firm commitment to tackling the drug menace in Kelantan. State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusof Mamat said the arrests were part of a broader and ongoing operation, with more developments expected soon. "The arrest of the influencer and five other suspects on June 27 proves that we are serious in our efforts to combat the drug problem. "This is not the beginning, and it certainly won't be the end. "I've said before, more disclosures will follow," he said when contacted today. Mohd Yusof said the arrests came just months after he first warned about emerging networks involved in drug trafficking and money laundering in the state. He said police have been closely monitoring several people believed to be linked to these illegal activities and would not hesitate to act, regardless of their background or public image. The suspects, aged between 25 and 40, were arrested in a series of coordinated raids in Pasir Mas and Tumpat on June 27, during which police seized 35.4kg of methamphetamine worth more than RM5 million. The operation was jointly carried out by the Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) and the Kelantan police contingent, following a year-long investigation. Today, the influencer and five others were remanded for another seven days to facilitate police investigation. The extension order, which ends on July 11, was obtained at the Pasir Mas court.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Police cripple drug syndicate, seize 35.4kg of methamphetamine pills
PASIR MAS: 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 here and in Tumpat last Friday. 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 the operation was the result of a year-long investigation. In the first raid, he said police stopped a car in Jalan Gajah Mati, Banggol Chica here. "A 34-year-old male suspect was detained and police found 115gm of 'pil kuda'. Another 112gm of the drug was found at his home. Upon further inspection behind the house, 20kg of pills were found in a cattle shed," he told a press conference here today. Mat Zani said in a simultaneous operation, police detained another male suspect with 15.4kg of the pills in his car. "Follow-up raids on several houses in Pasir Mas and Tumpat led to the arrest of three more suspects, including a woman believed to be the wife of the first suspect." He believed that proceeds from the drug sales were to be used to finance businesses including a seafood restaurant in Tanah Merah, a beauty salon and an online business. "The 'pil kuda', targeting students and youths, were intended for distribution in areas such as the Klang Valley and Johor Baru. "The amount seized could have supplied an estimated 177,465 users." He said the syndicate used cattle farms as storage facilities for the pills. Police also confiscated jewellery, branded handbags and luxury vehicles with a combined value exceeding RM1.1 million. "This syndicate was believed to have been active since 2022." Mat Zani said two suspects had prior criminal records, including for drug-related offences. "The suspects, aged between 25 and 39, have been remanded for seven days," he added.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Cops ramping up efforts to keep out ganja buds
KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities are tightening controls at border crossings in the north of the peninsula in a bid to stem the tide of ganja buds into the country. Police investigations have found that most of the ganja buds seized in the country are brought in through Thailand from the Golden Triangle, a region that spans parts of Myanmar, China, Laos and Thailand. The Golden Triangle has long been a drug trade hotspot as its remote and mountainous terrain makes it easier for warlords to entrench their presence and keep law enforcement at bay. Federal Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said police believed syndicates were capitalising on Thailand's decriminalisation of cannabis in 2022. In May last year, then Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to re-list cannabis as a narcotic, though there are no reports that this has happened. This policy shift triggered a surge in the production of high-potency THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cannabis buds across the region, fuelling a rise in the smuggling of ganja buds into Malaysia. "While isolated cases of domestic cannabis cultivation have been detected, local growing operations remain minimal and are not considered a significant contributor to the supply of ganja buds in the country. "The rising influx of cannabis buds from abroad has corresponded with a notable escalation in seizures and arrests in recent years," Mat Zani said. He said a multi-pronged crackdown on the trade had been launched. "Key measures include enhanced scanning and inspections at all major entry points, such as airports, seaports, and border crossings. "The department has also strengthened collaboration with the Customs Department and international enforcement bodies to disrupt cross-border trafficking routes." Operations have also been launched to dismantle local distribution networks and arrest traffickers. Mat Zani said NCID was making full use of the Dangerous Drugs Act to impose heavy penalties and seize assets linked to drug syndicates. "These financial strikes aim to cripple the operational capacities of trafficking networks. "To strengthen prevention efforts, NCID has intensified public outreach campaigns, urging citizens to report suspicious activities." He added that these educational initiatives were part of a broader strategy to reduce demand and build community resilience against narcotics. Mat Zani said the decriminalisation of cannabis in Thailand had introduced new dynamics to Southeast Asia's drug trade. "With the Golden Triangle already known for illicit drug production, the legal cannabis trade in Thailand has created a loophole increasingly exploited by traffickers. "Malaysian law enforcement now faces the dual challenge of stemming the cross-border flow of cannabis buds while addressing a growing local market drawn by the product's high potency and street value, ranging from RM11,000 to RM35,000 per kg." Mat Zani added that as cannabis trafficking evolved, NCID remained committed to safeguarding national borders, dismantling drug networks and protecting public health from the impacts of high-grade narcotics.
