IGP denies Penang a transit point for drugs
Rahimah Abdullah
December 27, 2016 13:31 MYT
December 27, 2016 13:31 MYT
KHALID: "We cannot say Penang is a hub or centre (for drug trafficking). The Golden Triangle is the largest opium producer in the world. Thailand is part of the Golden Triangle." - Filepic
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today denied the Thai authorities' allegation that Penang is the hub for drug trafficking.
He stressed that the allegation was inaccurate since the drugs were actually brought in from Thailand, being in the Golden Triangle or the world's largest drug manufacturers.
"We cannot say it (Penang) is a hub or centre (for drug trafficking). The Golden Triangle is the largest opium producer in the world. Thailand is part of the Golden Triangle," he said.
On December 25, it was reported that internationally-linked syndicates have been making Penang a transit point for their smuggled drugs from the infamous "Golden Triangle" near the Thai, Myanmar and Laos border.
Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Division acting commander for area 4 (south), Maj Gen Dussadee Choosankij was quoted saying, the drugs would be exported to another country upon reaching Penang.
Speaking at a conferment of rank ceremony at the Bukit Aman police headquarters here, Khalid said such an allegation should not be made against Penang just because of certain drug cases.
"Just because drugs were brought into Penang, or there were two or three people involved in drug cases there, it does not mean it becomes a hub," he said.
However, he said, the police will continue with monitoring and enforcement to combat such activities.
"But we will monitor, because there were many arrests and seizures successfully done in Thailand," he said.