Indians Overtake Iranians and Nigerians as Top Drug Smugglers in Malaysia

Malaysian officials believe that Indian nationals have overtaken Iranian and Nigerian syndicates as the top drug smugglers in the country.

Police however believe that the Nigerian syndicates are working with the Indians to smuggle drugs here.

According to the Star, Director of Narcotics Commissioner Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim, who revealed this, said the new trend had been evident since the start of the year.

He said that in 2011 and 2012, we saw lots of drug smuggling by the Iranians and Nigerians but suddenly there is a drastic drop in their involvement.

He also said that cases of Indian nationals involved in smuggling drugs into Malaysia have risen sharply, adding that they suspect that Nigerian syndicates were working together with the Indians.

Noor Rashid said Indian syndicates had traditionally focused on smuggling ketamine, with Iranians specialising on methamphetamine, Pakistanis in heroin and Nigerian syndicates dealing with a variety of drugs.

He described the Nigerians 'as never having a problem working with any nationality'.

He added that Indian drug dealers smuggled in drugs via hidden compartments in luggage via airports, while the Pakistani syndicates operated on sea routes.

On a brighter note, Noor Rashid said the number of Malaysians arrested overseas as drug mules had dropped by almost 400 percent, attributing this to increased awareness created by the local media, the report added.

Source: ANI