Bukit Aman narcotics criminal investigation department (JSJN) director Razarudin Husain said the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 needs to be improved in line with current developments.
Among the measures, he said, is to reduce the weight of drugs for drug offences so that offenders can be charged under Section 39B of the law, adding that another amendment is to allow those involved in drug trafficking to be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001.
“Currently, under the Act, offenders can face either the death penalty or life imprisonment for possessing 15gm of heroin and 50gm of methamphetamine, or syabu.
“There is a need for the weight of meth to be reduced to 15gm or lower because it is now the most seized drug compared to ketamine, cannabis and heroin.
“When the Dangerous Drugs Act was formulated, heroin was the most popular drug to be smuggled into the country. I believe by amending the drug laws, we will be able to eliminate the drug traffickers,” he told Bernama.
He said during the first eight months of this year, police had seized 18 tonnes of drugs, compared with 10.5 tonnes in the corresponding period last year, a whopping increase of 80%.
“Most of the drugs seized were meth, which is popular among local drug users.”
According to Razarudin, meth smuggled into Malaysia is then re-exported to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Greece, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Korea because of the high price and high demand there.
“For instance, one kg of methamphetamine from the Golden Triangle costs RM30,000 locally but that same amount can be sold for up to A$200,000 (RM600,000).”
He said the close cooperation between the police and foreign anti-drug agencies had, to some extent, curbed the activities of the smuggling syndicates.
Razarudin is also hoping to see an increase in the number of drug-busters in light of the increased numbers of drug seizures and cases.
“Currently, the number of personnel at JSJN is only about 4.7% of the total number of police personnel, and we have applied for an additional 2,000 staff,” he added.
He said proposals for the drug amendment laws and staff increment have been submitted to the home ministry.