SHAH ALAM, Aug 4 — 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 that from January to July this year, enforcement against drug crimes at KLIA recorded 108 cases, compared with 54 for the same period last year.
The total weight of drugs seized also recorded a sixfold increase, from 235.36kg in 2025 to 1.35 tonnes in 2026, valued at RM18.46 million and RM108.35 million, respectively.
He said 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 in big demand in Europe lately since the end of last year until now. There are a few reasons; probably this ganja flower is used in medicine in Europe, and it is probably also used in vapes, 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 neighbouring 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 during a media conference on the success of the Selangor NCID today.
Hussein added that the increase in enforcement actions, in line with the surge in criminal activity, was driven by strategic cooperation and a continuous commitment between the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad auxiliary police.
The police are currently working with the Transport Ministry and other relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement at the country's airports, ensuring that drug smuggling and distribution can be eradicated more effectively.
This was informed to the relevant parties in a meeting 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 have agreed to include drugs as one of the priorities, and all agencies will follow up on that,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police 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.
The drugs seized through Ops Khas KLIA involved ganja flowers and cocaine with an estimated weight of 260.08kg and 1.01kg, respectively, while Op Kalidasa involved the seizure of methamphetamine (409.4kg) 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 1952.
