KULIM, May 15 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has denied a news report that likened drug trafficking activities in Langkawi to the operations of an international cartel.

According to him, the magnitude of drug trafficking on the resort island cannot be likened to the drug cartel led by drug trafficker Pablo Escobar who controls the entire drug trafficking complex.

“In Langkawi, it’s not that big of a deal, but that’s okay, the media (Harian Metro) chose to say that, that’s okay, that’s their choice.

“We just know, we act on all the intelligence information we have and our spying is not just after the media reveals it, no, it’s spying all the time and when the time comes, we will take action to raid, then we do it,” he said.

He told reporters after the ceremony on Instilling Noble Values at his Community Service Centre in Taman Sejahtera, Lunas here today.

He said that the investigation into drug trafficking activities in Langkawi was carried out comprehensively by focusing on all elements including organised crimes and allegations of involvement of law enforcement officers.

Saifuddin Nasution said that the police would not protect any individuals including members who were involved in the activity and would open investigation papers according to existing laws.

Commenting on the proposal of Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for the police to shoot drug dealer, Saifuddin Nasution said the drug issue needs to be addressed rationally.

He also explained that Kedah is among the states with the most serious drug problems, especially involving cases under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which is a repeat offence.

“So we have to sit calmly, with a cooler head, rationally and objectively. It is not as easy as saying ‘shoot’, that is to be popular, but it is not certain that it will solve the problem,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to prevail until noon today in six states, according to the Meteorological Department.

It said in a statement that the adverse weather will affect Perlis, Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Pendang and Kuala Muda) as well as Penang.

Similar conditions are expected in Kuala Selangor and Klang in Selangor; Batu Pahat, Pontian, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru in Johor and Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu (Tatau and Bintulu) and Miri (Subis) in Sarawak. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) dismantled a drug distribution syndicate in Pulau Langkawi with the arrest of 191 individuals, including several ‘key figures’ in Op Langka.

Bukit Aman NCID director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the special operation was launched on April 10 following intelligence gathering and detailed investigations since January this year into drug trafficking activities on the island. 

He said 231 raids were carried out in Pulau Langkawi and the Klang Valley, involving various offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. 

“In this special operation, NCID successfully detained several ‘key figures’, with charges already filed and more to follow. 

“This includes a charge under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 against a suspect with 10 prior records, five under Section 12(2), four under Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act, and one under Section 160 of the Penal Code,” he said in a statement yesterday. 

Raids were also conducted at a house hosting ‘private parties’, where police arrested three local men and seven Thai women, and seized 82 grammes of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) powder, 12.5 grammes of ecstasy pills, 12.5 grammes of Erimin 5 pills, and four grammes of ketamine. 

“Another raid in the Klang Valley led to the arrest of seven individuals, including foreigners from Singapore and the Philippines. 

“In that raid, police seized 170 kilogrammes of cannabis buds and seven kilogrammes of cannabis, with the total value of drugs seized and assets confiscated reaching RM14.1 million,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Hussein said based on investigations and police operations, NCID believes there is involvement of police personnel in drug distribution activities in Pulau Langkawi. 

“As such, aggressive action will be taken under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma),” he said. 

He added that a report by a local newspaper referring to a ‘Pablo Escobar’ linked to drug trafficking activities in Pulau Langkawi was inaccurate, as intelligence findings showed the group did not operate on a large scale and had no international network or extraordinary assets. 

On Tuesday, a local newspaper reported the existence of a drug syndicate in Langkawi, allegedly led by a police officer known as ‘Mr A’, assisted by other syndicate members, including women, raising concerns among local residents. — Bernama