SONGKHLA: Syndicates involved in the processing and distribution of methamphetamine, or syabu, in Thailand, are believed to be using Malaysia as a transit point to store the drugs before smuggling them to other countries.
This was revealed by Thailand's Fourth Division Army Commander Lieutenant General Paisan Nusang during a special interview with Malaysian media here yesterday (Dec 22).
Paisan said initial investigations also found that Malaysia serves as a transit point for the drugs before they are smuggled to countries such as Australia and Europe.
He said methamphetamine is produced or processed by drug syndicates in northern Thailand before being transported to the southern part of the country.
"In the south, the syndicate sends the drugs across the Golok River into Malaysia.
"Based on our intelligence, there are no laboratories processing methamphetamine in the southern provinces.
"All the drugs are processed and manufactured in northern Thailand," he said.
Paisan said methamphetamine is in high demand in Australia, Europe, and other countries.
To counter this, Paisan said he had instructed all army units stationed along the Thailand-Malaysia border to intensify checks against drug smuggling.
"They have been told to closely monitor the border, especially the Golok River, to prevent the syndicates from moving the drugs into Malaysia.
"We are also concerned that tourists from Thailand may be involved in drug trafficking syndicates, especially when they cross the river into Malaysia," he added.
On Oct 29, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin said drug syndicates are using Malaysia as a transit hub while meeting demand from local drug users, according to a senior federal police narcotics officer.
He said federal police are working on measures to identify smuggling routes used by drug syndicates to cut off the supply of drugs into the country.
He said one reason syndicates use Malaysia as a transit hub is that they can earn up to five times more when the drugs are smuggled out to other countries.
Another factor, he said, is Malaysia's geographic position, which is strategically located near the Golden Triangle region, which covers parts of Myanmar, China, Laos and Thailand.