Labuan: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) remains on high alert against any attempts to smuggle drugs through entry points into the duty-free island, following a recent conviction involving synthetic drugs. Labuan Customs director Aspalila Awang Tuah said enforcement teams have intensified monitoring and surveillance at key entry points, including ferry terminals and the airport, to curb drug-related activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Labuan's status as a duty-free island makes it an attractive transit point. Authorities are continuously strengthening enforcement operations to detect and prevent any form of drug smuggling. Her remarks followed a case in which a 41-year-old local man was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment by the Magistrate's Court here on April 2 after pleading guilty to possession of 7.74 grammes of synthetic drugs.

The man was earlier detained by enforcement officers from Labuan customs enforcement team on Jan 15 at a courier service office at Jalan Penghulu Tuah for possession of the drugs.