Kuala lumpur: Police have seized a total of 653.6 kilogrammes (kg) of cannabis buds at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in the first six months of this year. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar stated that this was the result of joint enforcement conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and KLIA security authorities in their ongoing efforts to tighten security measures at the country's main entry and exit points through screening operations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shazeli highlighted that the intensified enforcement actions have led to significant seizures. He emphasized that without these tightened measures, achieving such seizure amounts would be unlikely. Most of the cannabis buds were reportedly brought into Malaysia from several Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries before being flown to destinations abroad, especially Europe.

During the same period, authorities arrested 38 individuals, with 28 already facing charges in court. Shazeli mentioned that determining the value of the seizures is challenging due to fluctuating prices for each transit and variations between syndicates.

In their latest crackdown at KLIA from June 17-22, police conducted three raids resulting in the seizure of 171.6kg of cannabis buds valued at RM13.73 million. Four individuals were arrested, including a Malaysian suspected of being a drug mule. The operations took place around KLIA Terminal 1, a hotel in Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, and a house in Banting, Kuala Langat, believed to serve as a storage facility for the cannabis buds.

Shazeli also noted that police seized a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and several foreign currencies during the raids. The four suspects have been remanded for seven days, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.