KUCHING: The authorities are planning to tighten standard operating procedures (SOPs) for courier services nationwide to curb drug trafficking syndicates.
The move is necessary as drug rings are increasingly using parcel deliveries to smuggle narcotics.
Acting Director of Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), DCP Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali, said courier services have become one of the syndicates’ preferred channels, especially for transporting drugs from the Peninsula into Sarawak, which is being used as a transit point for the international drug market.
“We might coordinate with courier service providers to revise their SOPs. From now on, senders may need to register and deliver parcels in person.
“The current system is too loose, allowing almost anyone to send parcels – including through third parties.
“Right now, courier registration is rather lax. This makes it hard for our intelligence teams to trace the real individuals behind drug deliveries.
“When middlemen are used, our investigations often hit a dead end,” he said when met during his courtesy visit to Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah at her office today.
He said that recently, drug parcels intercepted in Kuching had sender addresses in Malaya and receiver addresses in Sarawak.
“We are in the process of identifying the syndicates responsible, including the mastermind behind these operations,” he said.
Mat Zani warned that syndicates are exploiting Sarawak’s geography and available facilities, using the state not only as a distribution hub but also as a gateway for smuggling drugs to neighbouring countries.
“Cases in Miri and Sibu are also being monitored closely due to their proximity to other borders. These areas are vulnerable,” he said.
He called for a more aggressive and coordinated approach involving various agencies including the Royal Customs Department, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).
“Efforts to block drug trafficking needs to be addressed early and comprehensively.
“With support from the Sarawak government and Fatimah’s One Stop Committee (OSC), we are confident in pushing forward with efforts to keep Sarawak drug-free,” he said.
