By William Isau
SIBU, June 10: Drugs worth a total of RM5.3 million were seized in eight cases from January to May this year.
Sibu Customs Chief Mohammad Radzi Mohammad Sharif said based on this figure, drug smuggling activity here is increasingly worrying compared to the smuggling of cigarettes, liquor and other items.
“This is because individuals can get addicted to drugs and would commit crimes such as murder just to have the supply.
“That is why, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sibu will work hard in these two years to combat this activity which is already considered very worrying,” he said at the closing for a briefing on the prevention, smuggling and distribution of prohibited goods today.
He also said that the activity does not only happen in Sibu but also rural areas including Song and Kapit, especially in villages and longhouses.
He stressed that the modus operandi is constantly changing, which also makes it difficult to contain it completely.
Although it is quite difficult to control this activity completely, Mohammad Radzi believed that it could be minimised with the cooperation of the community.
“By organising a Customs programme with the community like this, I believe it can help us. At least we can reduce cases by creating public awareness.
“We will continue to collaborate with the community to take initiatives like this in the future,” he stressed.
Mohammad Radzi also believed that the role of community leaders and village chiefs is also important to help enforcement agencies, not only Customs, to minimise the bringing in of prohibited goods such as drugs.
The half-day programme was organised by the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of the Nangka State constituency (DUN) in collaboration with JKDM Sibu. — DayakDaily
