Top anti-drugs chief inspects smugglers’ rat lanes at Thai border

 

Bukit Aman NCID director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay at Jambatan Muhibah, across Sungai Golok, during his visit to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang today. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Police have admitted that it is difficult to curb smuggling activities along the border in Kelantan as it not only involved drugs but other contraband goods as well.

Bukit Aman narcotics criminal investigation department (NCID) director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay today checked the alleged ”rat lanes” or illegal routes used by smugglers along Sungai Golok, from Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, to Kubang Pak Hitam, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

Bernama reported Ayob Khan as saying that of the 175 illegal bases identified in Kelantan, 134 of them were actively being used for smuggling activities.

Based on statistics, he said attempts to smuggle 2 tonnes of syabu, 1 tonne of ganja, 1.6 million horse pills, 100kg of heroin and 44kg of ketamine through these bases and illegal routes had been successfully thwarted last year.

He was accompanied during his visit by acting Kelantan police chief Zaki Harun and Kelantan customs department director Nasir Deraman.

Ayob Khan said police would increase their collaboration with the customs department to reduce smuggling activities across the border.

He also said police would continue to identify the masterminds behind local and international drug smuggling syndicates through Op Tapis.

“Until now, we have arrested 2,100 people considered as ‘middlemen (drug pushers). Further investigations are ongoing to arrest the masterminds.

“We do not deny the drug smuggling activities in the country have a link to international drug rings, like in Kelantan, where most of the drug supplies come from neighbouring countries,” he said. - FMT