Kuala lumpur: Drug smuggling activities in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) are not only still active, but authorities have also found that operations are becoming increasingly complex and organised, posing a persistent security threat that requires continuous enforcement.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) commander Datuk Victor Sanjos stated that while there has not been a significant spike in reported cases recently, there has been a notable change in the modus operandi of the syndicates involved. He explained that the absence of drug seizures over certain periods should not be interpreted as an absence of threat, but rather as an indication that syndicates are employing more covert methods. These include smaller-scale deliveries or alternative routes to evade detection, contributing to a 'dark figure of crime' in these activities.
Victor highlighted that syndicates are believed to be increasingly creative, utilizing unofficial sea routes such as 'rat trails', fast boats, and pump boats. They operate in layers using 'runners' to minimize risk to the masterminds. Remote areas in the waters of eastern Sabah have been identified as temporary transit points, with activities believed to be conducted at night to avoid detection by authorities. The geographical landscape of ESSZone, surrounded by numerous islands and open sea routes, coupled with limited assets relative to the vast operational area and constantly evolving tactics using small, fast, and hard-to-detect boats, contribute to the difficulty in tracking these syndicates.
Economic factors also play a role, driving individuals to seek lucrative income while domestic drug demand remains high. Modus operandi include disguising activities as fishing operations or using small boats to avoid detection. To counter these challenges, ESSCOM has adopted a strategy centered on smart enforcement based on strategic intelligence and crime trend analysis to enable more targeted action in high-risk areas.
Victor elaborated that the approach involves integrated operations with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). Efforts focus on leakage routes such as unofficial jetties and open border areas. The 'hotspot targeting' method is used to identify key transit areas frequently linked to cross-border smuggling activities and assess threat levels through operational data analysis, including the number of arrests, value of seizures, and intrusion attempts.
Community intelligence (HUMINT) and cross-border crime linkages are also considered to enable dynamic threat assessment and support more targeted and effective operations. Intelligence cooperation with neighboring countries to curb transnational syndicate networks is carried out through continuous information sharing between security agencies such as ESSCOM and RMP with authorities in Indonesia and the Philippines. Strengthening security assets and enhancing legislation with stricter penalties and asset forfeiture are crucial measures identified by Victor.
On March 18, police seized 53.85 kilograms of drugs worth nearly RM2.6 million in two separate cases at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and Tawau, among the largest drug busts in Sabah. Sabah Drug Prevention Organisation (PPDJS) adviser Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto acknowledged Sabah's strategic location as a preferred route for transnational drug syndicates due to its proximity to the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea, and its borders with the Philippines and Indonesia.
Mohd Zaki emphasized that while large drug seizures reflect enforcement efficiency, they cannot be seen as absolute success. They indicate that supply flows remain high and the market has not been significantly disrupted. He proposed the concept of 'border scouts' in maritime areas and dedicated funding for NGOs involved in security and drug prevention. The true measure of success, he suggested, is a reduction in demand, including fewer new addicts and lower relapse rates, rather than relying solely on seizure statistics.
He urged the public to shift from being 'observers' to 'security partners' by providing information to authorities, supporting rehabilitation of former addicts, strengthening communities, and not shielding suspicious activities. Mohd Zaki concluded that if all elements of enforcement, community, policy, and regional cooperation are mobilized simultaneously and consistently, Sabah could not only shed its 'hotspot' status but also emerge as a model for drug prevention in Malaysia.