2010-08-02 16:02

KUALA LUMPUR -- The amount of drugs seized and the number of drug-related criminals arrested in Malaysia this year so far have surpassed that of the entire year significantly.

Othman Harun, deputy director of Malaysia's federal narcotic department, told a press conference here on Monday that 20 people suspected of being involving in drug-related activities and 13 kilograms of syabu, a type of drug, were held in 2009.

However, Othman said the Malaysian police had arrested 108 suspected drug criminals with 270 kilograms of syabu seized in the first seven months of 2010.

Following the surge in the figures, Othman said the Malaysian police had set up a special task force to deal with drug issues in the country.

Meanwhile, Othman said that an international drug syndicate was busted here last Saturday with the aid of the Singaporean police.

While seizing eight cylinders containing 112 kilograms of syabu worth 24.5 million ringgit (US$7.75 million), Othman said two men were also arrested, including a 42-year-old Malaysian and a 26-year-old Iranian.

Othman believed that the Iranian man played an important role in the syndicate.

Cash worth 270,000 ringgit (US$85,443) and a Mercedes- Benz worth 500,000 ringgit (US$156,250) were also confiscated.

Othman said the cylinders, shipped to Malaysia via a cargo ship, were stored in a high-end luxurious semi-detached house here.