SIBU: Police here have stepped up monitoring and intelligence-gathering efforts to prevent the emerging synthetic drug known as ‘Piu Piu’ or ‘mushroom’ from entering the local market.
Sibu District Police Chief, ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad, said although the district remained free of the substance, preventive measures had been strengthened following reports of its emergence in several other locations.
He said the drug was believed to be mixed into vape liquid before being misused, making early intervention crucial to prevent attempts to smuggle and distribute it in Sibu.
“Until now Sibu is still free from the threat of this new synthetic drug. We will continue to tighten monitoring so that any attempts to smuggle or distribute it can be thwarted early,” he said after officiating his first Monthly Gathering at the Sibu District Police Headquarters (IPD) compound here today.
Abang Zainal said police were also awaiting official confirmation from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) on the substance’s actual composition before further details could be disclosed.
“At this time, we have not been able to confirm the actual composition of the substance as we are still waiting for the confirmation from the health authorities,” he said.
He added that State Commissioner of Police Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah had directed all police contingents in the state to strengthen cooperation with relevant enforcement agencies in monitoring entry and exit routes that could be used as smuggling gateways.
“We always share intelligence and intensify monitoring at entry and exit points and routes identified as potentially being used for smuggling activities,” he said.
In another development, Abang Zainal said combating commercial crime and drug abuse remained among the main priorities of the Sibu District Police.
He said index crime in the district had dropped by seven per cent, or about 35 cases, compared with the previous period.
However, he said police would not compromise on the growing threat posed by cross-border commercial crime and online fraud.
During the gathering, Abang Zainal also presented Excellent Service Awards and Certificates of Appreciation to senior and junior police officers as well as civil servants in recognition of their outstanding performance, commitment and contributions to the Sibu police team.
