Home Ministry To Increase Scrutiny On Foreign Arrivals At Main Entry Points

KOTA BAHARU, March 14 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry is expected to increase scrutiny on foreigners who entered the country, to overcome an increase in the number of drug trafficking cases, at main entry points in the country. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said such measures were necessary due to an increase in the number of tourist arrivals, especially Iranians, who have been involved in numerous drug smuggling cases in the first three months.

According to Abu Seman, from Jan 1 to Thursday (March 11), Malaysian police had detained 57 Iranians for drug smuggling offences.He added that following the arrests at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, various types of drugs were seized, including 77.28 kilograms of syabu, 6.7 kilograms of liquid syabu and four kilograms of heroin. "To prevent drug smuggling and drug related offences, police and the Customs Department will continue to take the necessary steps to cripple such activities at KLIA, Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) and the main entry points," he said here.Abu Seman said based on police statistics, 969 foreigners were arrested under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

"The number of students involved in drug offences has also increased because in 2008 there were 19 arrests compared with 40 last year, an increase of 21 students or a 68 per cent increase," he said. Nigerian students make up the highest number of students arrested, six in 2008 and 18 last year, followed by eight from Saudi Arabia and another eight from Sudan for the two-year period, he said.