ID :
158212
Thu, 01/27/2011 - 05:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/158212
The shortlink copeid
IRAN BATTLES AGAINST DRUGS WITH NEW LAW
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- The Iranian government is going all out in its war against drug syndicates in the republic with its newly amended drug law.
Iranian ambassador to Malaysia Prof Dr Mohammed Mehdi Zahedi said the new law, which came into force on Jan 4 this year, was not only expected to have positive results in the fight against drugs in Iran but to also reduce the multi-billion dollar illicit trade in other parts of the world, including in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.
He said the amendments included listing possessing of or trafficking in industrial drugs such as methamphetamine or popularly known as syabu, which was not present in the previous law, as an offence.
"Individuals caught for possessing 30 grammes or more of syabu can be sentenced to death," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama here Wednesday.
"Iran is now going against these international drug gangs. It may take some time to see the results, but we strongly believe that with this new law, the movement of international drug gangs will be limited and eventually eradicated.
"Even during tapping by Iranian police of telephone conversations between drug trafficking groups, they were heard telling each other that their job would be finished with this new law," he said.
He added that previously international drug syndicates had manipulated the absence of such law in Iran and made it one of the bases for their operations.
The Malaysian authorities have been coming down hard on drug offenders in the country and are committed to combating smuggling of narcotic drugs to prevent this country from becoming a drug processing and trafficking centre.
This month alone, 32 Iranians had been arrested by police for smuggling and trafficking in 115.9kg of syabu worth RM23 million in the Klang Valley. (US$1=RM3.06)
Under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, individuals who possess narcotic drugs including syabu weighing more than 50 grammes shall be subjected to the mandatory death sentence if convicted.
Mehdi said the Iranian government was prepared to extend closer cooperation to the Malaysian police and other relevant authorities to fight the drug scourge.
He said Iranian police had been cooperative with their Southeast Asian counterparts but this could be intensified through more sharing of intelligence and information on narcotic activities.
"I believe if countries can work closer together, combating international narcotic activities will have considerable success," he said.
The envoy also said that Southeast Asia had become a choice hub and transit point for the illicit trade as the drugs fetched a higher price in this region.
He said a kilogramme of syabu was sold at US$4,500 per kg in Iran but the price rocketted to as high as US$80,000 when it reached this region, adding that it was also a reason for many to be lured into the drug business.
Mehdi urged Iranians visiting Malaysia to abide by the country's laws and regulations.
"Please respect Malaysian laws when you are travelling to this country and do not get involved in drug activities or be used by the syndicates as drug mules," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Iranian ambassador to Malaysia Prof Dr Mohammed Mehdi Zahedi said the new law, which came into force on Jan 4 this year, was not only expected to have positive results in the fight against drugs in Iran but to also reduce the multi-billion dollar illicit trade in other parts of the world, including in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.
He said the amendments included listing possessing of or trafficking in industrial drugs such as methamphetamine or popularly known as syabu, which was not present in the previous law, as an offence.
"Individuals caught for possessing 30 grammes or more of syabu can be sentenced to death," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama here Wednesday.
"Iran is now going against these international drug gangs. It may take some time to see the results, but we strongly believe that with this new law, the movement of international drug gangs will be limited and eventually eradicated.
"Even during tapping by Iranian police of telephone conversations between drug trafficking groups, they were heard telling each other that their job would be finished with this new law," he said.
He added that previously international drug syndicates had manipulated the absence of such law in Iran and made it one of the bases for their operations.
The Malaysian authorities have been coming down hard on drug offenders in the country and are committed to combating smuggling of narcotic drugs to prevent this country from becoming a drug processing and trafficking centre.
This month alone, 32 Iranians had been arrested by police for smuggling and trafficking in 115.9kg of syabu worth RM23 million in the Klang Valley. (US$1=RM3.06)
Under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, individuals who possess narcotic drugs including syabu weighing more than 50 grammes shall be subjected to the mandatory death sentence if convicted.
Mehdi said the Iranian government was prepared to extend closer cooperation to the Malaysian police and other relevant authorities to fight the drug scourge.
He said Iranian police had been cooperative with their Southeast Asian counterparts but this could be intensified through more sharing of intelligence and information on narcotic activities.
"I believe if countries can work closer together, combating international narcotic activities will have considerable success," he said.
The envoy also said that Southeast Asia had become a choice hub and transit point for the illicit trade as the drugs fetched a higher price in this region.
He said a kilogramme of syabu was sold at US$4,500 per kg in Iran but the price rocketted to as high as US$80,000 when it reached this region, adding that it was also a reason for many to be lured into the drug business.
Mehdi urged Iranians visiting Malaysia to abide by the country's laws and regulations.
"Please respect Malaysian laws when you are travelling to this country and do not get involved in drug activities or be used by the syndicates as drug mules," he said.
-- BERNAMA
