Methamphetamine pills, a threat to youths in Kelantan

SHAH ALAM - Methamphetamine pills has become the main drug of choice for youths in Kelantan.

Kelantan police chief Shafien Mamat said drug issues in the state was at an alarming rate and this was rather worrying as it involved young people.

According to him, drug abuse had led to crimes such as burglary and theft.

“The authorities, especially the police and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) will always take strict measures.

“The most popular type of drug young people in the state would take was Methamphetamine pills. It is as cheap as RM10 per pill and easy to get,” he told Sinar Harian after visiting Karangkraf, here, on Wednesday.

He added that every day, there would be arrests and seizures involving drug-related cases.

He said the reason why drugs were easily brought into the state was related to the Malaysia-Thailand borders.

The modus operandi of criminals, he said was by observing the police’s duty schedule and find loopholes.

He also revealed four hotspot areas in Kelantan where drug smuggling activities were active as they were near the Thailand border.

The areas were Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Jeli and Tanah Merah.

“I have instructed all district police chiefs to increase the level of security and get information to tackle the issue,” he said.

He said in 2021 alone, police foiled six to seven major drug syndicates which involved seizures worth tens of millions of ringgit.

The drug issue, he said would not end if the local community do not cooperate because the criminals who had completed serving their jail time will return to the society.

He added that the involvement of everyone, especially leaders was crucial in helping authorities’ efforts to address the drug problem.