KUALA Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has emerged as a major battleground in Malaysia’s fight against drug trafficking, with police seizing narcotics worth RM108.35 million in the first seven months of 2026, compared with RM18.46 million during the same period last year.
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), through the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), said the sharp increase reflected stronger intelligence operations, targeted enforcement actions and tighter surveillance at one of the country’s busiest international gateways.
NCID Bukit Aman director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said 108 drug-related cases were recorded at KLIA between January and July this year, double the 54 cases reported during the corresponding period in 2025.
“The number of arrests also increased to 121 individuals compared with 57 individuals in the previous year, including 42 foreign nationals involved in drug trafficking activities through KLIA,” he said in a statement.
The intensified crackdown also disrupted more drug distribution networks, with supply-related cases rising from 18 last year to 47 cases in 2026.
Arrests involving suspected traffickers nearly tripled, increasing from 21 individuals in 2025 to 59 this year.
Overall narcotics seizures at KLIA rose dramatically from 235.36kg last year to 1,353.41kg, or 1.35 tonnes, in 2026.
Hussein said the increase demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in preventing large-scale attempts by syndicates to exploit Malaysia’s aviation routes.
He said syndicates had shifted their tactics by attempting to smuggle larger quantities of cannabis flower into the country.
“NCID seized 1,251.18kg (1.25 tonnes) of cannabis flower this year compared with only 82.98kg in 2025.
“Ketamine seizures also increased, from 2.15kg in 2025 to 16.51kg this year,” he said.
The department’s operations also extended beyond KLIA, with intelligence gathered by the KLIA District Narcotics Investigation Division leading to five follow-up operations in Sepang, Selangor, and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
“These operations resulted in the seizure of 367.83kg of cannabis flower worth RM29.43 million, including the largest seizure of 153.68kg in Mambau, Seremban, as well as four raids in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi (BBST), Sepang,” Hussein said.
He credited the success to close cooperation between PDRM and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) auxiliary police, particularly through rapid intelligence sharing and coordinated monitoring efforts.
Hussein warned that no national entry point, including KLIA, would be allowed to become a transit route for international drug syndicates.
“PDRM will continue strengthening cooperation with border enforcement agencies to detect, pursue and dismantle drug syndicates until they are completely neutralised, ensuring that every offender is brought before the courts and faces firm legal action,” he said.
NCID reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug trafficking, describing narcotics as the country’s “number one enemy” and urging members of the public to assist enforcement efforts by providing information through the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.- August 1, 2026
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