Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is strengthening its cooperation with Thailand to intensify efforts against drug syndicates, following reports of lower drug prices in Sungai Golok, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. This includes closer intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity building initiatives.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the report from Thailand has been duly noted. On the Malaysian side, border controls have been tightened, resulting in the closure of 212 illegal bases. Furthermore, additional General Operation Force (PGA) units have been deployed to the region, and the enforcement of the Immigration Act has been enhanced, particularly concerning illegal border crossings without valid documentation.

Earlier, it was reported that the significantly lower drug prices in Sungai Golok had turned the border town into a hotspot for drug users, including Malaysians, especially from Kelantan. This development has prompted Thai authorities to step up operations to address the rising drug syndicates in the area.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin acknowledged that while there have been successes in the form of arrests and drug seizures, the drug smuggling activities at the border remain dynamic and constantly shifting. Efforts to control certain points of entry and illegal supply routes have seen success, but the activities adapt and relocate. When the border is tightened on the Kelantan side, smuggling routes move to Kedah, leading to an increase in arrests.

He emphasized the fluid nature of the situation, noting that when authorities clamp down on one area, the syndicates move to another. Saifuddin assured that security forces will remain vigilant and committed, with no tolerance for immoral activities.

Additionally, ongoing intelligence operations are focusing on individuals in Kelantan who disguise their involvement in drug trafficking through luxurious lifestyles. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to combat drug smuggling.