TIGHTER CONTROLS AT BORDERS, AIRPORTS

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), Jan 12 (Bernama) -- There will be tighter
surveillance at all entry/exit points at the Malaysian border and airports by
deploying more security personnel to curb smuggling of synthetic narcotic drugs
which is becoming rampant.

Bukit Aman (Police National Headquarters) Narcotics CID director, Zulhasnan
Najib Baharudin, said the move was important and was confident that it could
prevent syndicates from smuggling such drugs into Malaysia or out.

"Our target for 2009 is to tighten checks and controls at Malaysia's borders
with neighbouring countries, besides at the airports to prevent the smuggling of
such drugs.

"We are aware of increased trafficking and use of synthetic drugs compared
to 'traditional' drugs such as cannabis because synthetic drugs like syabu can
easily be produced in the laboratories and they command a high price," he told
reporters after a visit to the east coast state of Kelantan police headquarters,
with state police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi also present.

Zulhasnan said the number of security personnel at the Malaysia-Thai border
would also be increased while all the state police had been told to step up
operations with focus on narcotic checks.

"Although trafficking and use of synthetic drugs is on the rise, police have
also made more arrests and drug seizures, including in Kelantan," he added.
-- BERNAMA


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