International Drug Syndicates Exploit Digital Technology Advancements – Saifuddin Nasution

KEPALA BATAS: The rapidly advancing digital technology is now being exploited by international syndicates to expand drug distribution networks through encrypted communication platforms, digital dark markets and borderless financial transactions.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this situation has made the drug crime ecosystem increasingly complex, hybrid in nature and difficult to detect, thereby demanding a more modern, integrated and intelligence-based enforcement approach.

He said Malaysia is also facing the same challenge, as the threat of drugs and illicit substances continues to be among the primary security and well-being issues in the country.

“As such, the government’s approach is being strengthened through the use of big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify trends and high-risk areas more accurately, supported by intelligence sharing between agencies as well as the implementation of community-based interventions.

“This is to ensure that every action is more targeted, swift and high-impact. The government remains committed to combating the drug threat through a comprehensive approach emphasising demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction,” he said.

He said this in a speech text read out by the Home Ministry (KDN) Secretary-General, Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Anti-Drug Day Commemoration at Dataran Sungai Muda, here today.

According to Saifuddin, the threat of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl is also having a serious impact on global safety and health.

This is because, he said, they can cause extreme addiction, mental disorders and violent behaviour, besides fentanyl which can be fatal even in small doses.

He said the current trend shows that synthetic drugs of the amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) category, such as syabu (methamphetamine), ecstasy and pil kuda (yaba), continue to dominate drug abuse in the country.

The number of individuals detected to be involved in ATS abuse and addiction up to March 2026 is 73,611 people, which is 72.92 per cent.

He said geographically, border states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah continue to record the highest rates of drug addiction and abuse in the country.

Penang is in sixth place with a rate of 757 individuals per 100,000 population compared to 560 at the national level.

He explained that this trend shows the need for a geostrategic approach and more integrated cross-agency cooperation, as drug abuse is no longer concentrated in cities, but is increasingly spreading to rural areas, educational institutions and workplaces.

“More worrying is that the trend of drug abuse shows a significant shift from traditional drugs such as heroin and cannabis to synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine such as syabu, pil kuda, ecstasy and ketamine.

“Authorities have also detected an increase in the use of synthetic cannabinoids, vape liquids mixed with psychoactive substances, as well as the abuse of prescription drugs such as tramadol, codeine, diazepam, alprazolam and pregabalin for recreational purposes.

“This phenomenon makes prevention, enforcement and treatment efforts increasingly challenging, and is further exacerbated by syndicated distribution, the use of digital platforms as transaction mediums, as well as the involvement of locals in international criminal networks,” he said.

He added that amendments to the Drug Addicts (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 have also been implemented to expand access to treatment and rehabilitation, in line with the government’s commitment to tackling the drug threat comprehensively.

Berita Harian