Fadzli told FMT that in addition to the state’s long border with Thailand and numerous illegal routes, enforcement agencies must also contend with increasingly sophisticated smuggling operations and international drug trafficking syndicates.
He said the state government will also continue to take various initiatives to combat drug abuse through collaboration between state and federal agencies, adding that efforts are under way to strengthen anti-drug campaigns in schools and local communities.
“The Kelantan government will remain consistent, firm, and principled in supporting all efforts to combat drugs, which is in line with our policy of development in accordance with Islam,” he said.
Earlier today, Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said the state has become a transit hub for drugs such as shabu (methamphetamine), cannabis, and heroin smuggled in from neighbouring countries.
Yusoff said most of these drugs are transported to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, while “pil kuda” (a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine) remains the drug of choice among local addicts.
Just this month, police reportedly dismantled two drug distribution syndicates operating in the state.
On July 3, police arrested six individuals and seized 35.4kg of pil kuda worth RM5.04 million in six raids carried out in Pasir Mas and Tumpat.
On July 11, a married couple was arrested and various types of drugs were confiscated with an estimated total value of RM3.1 million.
Yusoff was quoted as saying that police did not rule out the possibility that the dismantled syndicates are linked to international drug networks.
Fadzli said the scale of recent arrests and drug seizures reflects solid progress by law enforcement and should help dispel any lingering criticism of Kelantan’s commitment to tackling the drug problem.
“Congratulations to the police on this major success,” he said.
“There should no longer be any negative perceptions about Kelantan, because what matters most is firm action and tangible results.”
In February, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that Kelantan recorded the highest number of drug addicts in 2024, with 1,130 cases per 100,000 residents.
Terengganu ranked second with 974, followed by Perlis (965), Kedah (898), Penang (803), and Sarawak (425).