Dangerous Drugs Act needs more teeth: Bukit Aman

KUALA LUMPUR – The Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 needs to be improved in line with current developments so that police’s efforts to eliminate narcotics abuse can be carried out more effectively.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Razarudin Husain said the improvements that must be made include reducing the weight of drugs for which one can be charged under Section 39B of the law, and charging  those involved in drug trafficking under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

“Currently, under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, the weight is 15g for heroin and 50g for methamphetamine for offenders to be given the death penalty and life imprisonment. There is a need for the weight of methamphetamine, or syabu, to be reduced to 15g or lower.

“This is because methamphetamine is the most seized drug compared with ketamine, cannabis and heroin. When the Dangerous Drugs Act was formulated, heroin was the most-smuggled drug into the country.

“I believe that by doing this, we will be able to eliminate drug traffickers,” he told Bernama.

He said police have submitted their proposal to the Home Ministry.

In the first eight months of the year, he said, the force seized 18 tonnes of drugs, an increase of 80% from the same period a year ago (10.5 tonnes).

“Most of the drugs seized comprised methamphetamine, which is popular among local drug users.”

Razarudin said methamphetamine is also exported to third countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Greece, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and South Korea.

He said the drug’s high price and demand in such countries make it attractive to local syndicates.

“From the information obtained, 1kg of methamphetamine bought by a local syndicate for RM30,000 from a ring in the ‘Golden Triangle’ can be sold for up to A$200,000 (RM607,710) in Australia.”

He said the close cooperation between police and foreign anti-drug agencies has to some extent curbed smugglers’ activities.

He expressed hope that his department’s personnel will be increased, given the rise in drug seizures and related cases.

“At present, the department’s personnel comprise only 4.7% of the total police force. We have applied for an additional 2,000 members.” – Bernama, October 2, 2021