Kuala lumpur: The increase in demand for drugs, especially ganja flowers, in Europe is believed to be one of the causes of the surge in smuggling activities at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said from January to July this year, enforcement against drug crimes at KLIA recorded 108 cases compared to 54 cases for the same period last year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the total weight of drugs seized also recorded a six-fold increase, from 235.36 kilogrammes in 2025 to 1.35 tonnes in 2026, worth RM18.46 million and RM108.35 million respectively. The number of arrests involving foreigners suspected of being involved in drug smuggling or trafficking through KLIA also increased to 121 individuals compared to 57 individuals the previous year.
'Ganja flowers have become a big demand in Europe lately since the end of last year until now. There's a few reasons, probably this ganja flower is used in medicine in Europe and probably also used in vape where it is extracted into liquid form and so on. And we also identified that this drug supply is not from Malaysia but obtained from neighboring countries brought in from the North, either by sea or land and 80 per cent is taken out for the markets of neighbouring countries and Europe,' he said at the press conference of the success of Selangor NCID here today.
Hussein said the increase in enforcement actions in line with the surge in criminal activities was driven by strategic cooperation and continuous commitment between the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) auxiliary police. He said his party is currently working with the Ministry of Transport and other relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement at the country's airports to ensure drug smuggling and distribution can be eradicated more effectively.
He said the matter has been informed to the relevant parties in a meeting held yesterday, especially regarding procedural issues. 'Based on the meeting with the Ministry of Transport yesterday, we see that there is a need to increase the level of security for passengers and goods at KLIA. The priority at KLIA is in terms of smuggling of firearms and other prohibited goods, now we agreed to include drugs as one of the priorities and all agencies will follow up on that,' he said.
Meanwhile, Hussein said his party managed to arrest 15 suspects aged between 18 and 53 years old through Op Khas KLIA and Op Kalidasa which led to the seizure of drugs worth RM42 million in separate raids late last month. He said the drugs seized through Ops Khas KLIA involved ganja flowers and cocaine with an estimated weight of 260.08 kilogrammes (kg) and 1.01kg respectively, while Op Kalidasa involved the seizure of methamphetamine (409.4 kg) and 900 electronic cigarette liquid cartridges containing MDMA liquid (1.8 litres). All suspects are currently being remanded to assist in investigations under section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.