KUALA LUMPUR – Newly appointed Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail has vowed to keep the state from turning into a major drug hub, promising decisive action against trafficking syndicates operating across the island and mainland.
Speaking to Scoop, Azizee said he was deeply concerned about intelligence indicating Penang’s growing role as a transhipment point for narcotics.
“Our data shows a disturbing rise in drug movements – over 14kg of syabu, 6,000 ecstasy pills, along with ketamine and Erimin 5 tablets – all linked to cross‑border syndicates.
“These substances are being funnelled into entertainment venues, private residences and, increasingly, through inter‑state courier services,” he said when contacted.
Azizee stressed that his approach would be intelligence‑driven and enforcement‑focused, with operations aimed at dismantling supply chains and cutting off syndicates’ financial lifelines.
“We’re tightening surveillance along high‑risk entry points, especially coastal routes where traffickers exploit fishing vessels and modified cargo holds. Joint operations with the Marine Police, Narcotics Division and Customs are being stepped up to intercept shipments before they hit the streets.
“At the same time, we are freezing assets and targeting the masterminds behind these networks, not just low‑level couriers. Our message is clear – Penang will not be a safe haven for drug syndicates,” he said.
Azizee added that Penang police are closing in on networks largely operating from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and others.
“We’re seeing a pattern where these syndicates are using Penang as both a storage and redistribution point. We are working closely with our regional counterparts to cut off their operations at the source,” he explained.
The information was brought to Scoop’s attention by enforcement sources, who revealed that syndicates are increasingly exploiting Penang’s strategic location and its busy maritime and land routes to funnel drugs into Malaysia.
They said traffickers are becoming more adept at concealing shipments and coordinating operations across borders, making detection increasingly challenging for enforcement agencies.
Recent enforcement has underscored the urgency. The reign of a major drug syndicate came to an end after four months of investigation when police seized 112.1kg of cannabis and cannabis buds worth RM3.72 million on July 24.
Four men, aged between 31 and 39, including a Vietnamese national, were arrested in a sweeping operation on the Penang mainland.
Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said two suspects were nabbed in a Bukit Mertajam hotel room, and a third, believed to be the transporter, was arrested in the hotel lobby with a canvas bag containing 9.23kg of cannabis and 4.23kg of cannabis buds.
Interrogations led to the arrest of the Vietnamese national in Seberang Jaya, who later directed police to a homestay used as a storage facility. Inside, officers discovered six bags containing 111 packages of cannabis buds weighing 98.6kg, enough for up to 230,000 doses.
Mohd Alwi said the drugs were smuggled from a neighbouring country and intended for distribution in Penang and Kuala Lumpur via land routes. The suspects, three of whom tested positive for drug use, have been remanded for seven days. Police also seized RM1,300 in cash and three vehicles valued at RM198,000.
Penang’s reputation as Malaysia’s safest city remains intact, with the state recently topping international online database Numbeo’s safety rankings.
However, it was reported that Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, while celebrating the achievement, cautioned that drug‑related crimes remain the biggest challenge.
“Penang has been a key distribution hub for drugs originating from northern countries. They arrive by land or sea before being distributed elsewhere.
“Other crimes are under control, which is why tourists feel safe here, but the threat of drugs persists,” he said.
The state government continues to strengthen security infrastructure, with 1,000 new CCTV cameras planned for Seberang Perai and over 1,000 units already installed on the island as part of efforts to deter drug crime and other crimes. – July 29, 2025