By P.Vijian, NNN-Bernama
New Delhi : Pakistani narcotics agents have plugged a 75kg heroin pipeline, routed through domestic airports, to Kuala Lumpur over the past three months, triggering a nagging suspicion that the South Asian region has become a playground for international drug barons.
Having noted an increase in drug trafficking activities to Malaysia, Thailand and China, the Pakistani Ministry of Narcotics Control says traffickers are now changing their routes.
“Perhaps, Malaysia is now seen as a transit for traffickers, mainly to Europe,” a high-ranking Pakistani narcotics agency official said Thursday.
“As international drug traffickers are using this region and Pakistan, we want close co-operation with Malaysian law enforcement agencies to exchange information on drug trafficking (activities).
“Malaysia should not fall prey to these drug traffickers. Following several major arrests this year, we are convinced that tourist-rich South East Asian capitals are turning into a popular route for drug traffickers.”
From January to March this year, the Ministry of Narcotics Control has seized 75.6 kg of heroin and arrested 13 Pakistani nationals involved in the crime.
Most of the arrests were made at major airports such as Lahore and Karachi, just before the traffickers boarded planes enroute to Kuala Lumpur, where it is believed the drugs were either to be sold in the local market or shipped out to buyers in Europe.
“This is the trend we have seen in the last three months,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Bernama.
Most of the heroin originates from the border with Afghanistan, which now produces 90 per cent of the world’s heroin supply. These illicit drugs are channelled via Pakistan using well-paid couriers, to deliver to major buyers.
“Pakistan is also used as a transit point, with all drugs coming from Afghanistan. It is difficult for us to control because we have a 2,500km border with Afghanistan and high mountains ranging up to 25,000 feet high,” said the official.
To break the drug supply chain, the Pakistan Government has signed “a control delivery operation” agreement with 25 countries where recipient countries collaborate to arrest the traffickers.
The ministry said the seizures of drugs enroute to Kuala Lumpur in the first three months of the year are:
1. Heroin weighing 9.2kg recovered from a Pakistani arrested at Islamabad Airport on March 20. The suspect was on his way to Kuala Lumpur via Abu Dhabi by flight EY-238 (Etihad Airways). Heroin was concealed in his suitcase.
2. Three kg of heroin seized from a Pakistani arrested at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore on March 7. The man was also on his way to Kuala Lumpur via Dubai by flight 623-Y. The drug was concealed in his suitcase.
3. Heroin weighing 8.1kg seized from a Pakistani arrested at Jinnah International Airport Karachi on Feb 25. He was travelling to Kuala Lumpur via Abu Dhabi by flight EY-228. Heroin concealed in his suitcase.
4. A 50kg consignment of heroin seized from seven Pakistanis arrested at Jinnah International Airport Karachi on Feb 23, enroute to Kuala Lumpur by flight MH-161 (MAS). Heroin concealed in five suitcases.
5. About 100 capsules filled with heroin and weighing 1.3kg recovered from two Pakistanis arrested at Jinnah International Airport Karachi on Jan 28. They were travelling to Kuala Lumpur by flight MH-161.
6. Four kg of heroin recovered from a Pakistani at Peshawar Airport, also on Jan 28, travelling to Kuala Lumpur via Doha by flight QR-347 (Qatar Airways). Heroin was concealed in his suitcase.