JOHOR BARU: The Inspector-General of Police today acknowledged that Malaysia is fast gaining a reputation as a drug hub distributing pills containing syabu to Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
However, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain denied that the country is an illicit drug exporter.
"Malaysia is not a known as a drug-manufacturing country," he said.
Razarudin said police are actively fighting a war against drugs, which is the country's number one enemy.
He said about 20 drug laboratories were dismantled this year.
"Investigations revealed that percursors used the make illicit drugs, are purchased locally and used to make the narcotics, which are mostly for local market, while some are distributed overseas but are in a very small scale," said, after the official handover ceremony of the marine police strike craft Rigid Hull Assault boats, held at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, here, today.
Razarudin also refuted claims that fentanyl, which is a drug used as a tranquilliser for cows and horses, is flooding Malaysia, and is popular among addicts.
The tranquilliser known as the 'Zombie drug' for its zombie-like-after-effect, is popular overseas especially in the US, where dealers mix it with other illegal drugs such as heroin.
Meanwhile, on a separate issue, he said 10 assault boats worth RM32.81 million will be deployed by the marine police to safeguard the country's waters.
The boats are fitted with high-end assault weapons, tracking facilities, and latest marine technologies.