Barely a week after the United Nations raised a warning over what has been described as the ‘alarming’ rise in the trade of methamphetamine in Southeast Asia, Malaysia recorded its biggest bust today.
Six suspected traffickers with 1.2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine shipped from Yangon, Myanmar were apprehended and the drugs were seized by Malaysian Customs officials. According to reports, the drugs, disguised as tea in golden yellow packs, had been declared as ‘foodstuff’ and were on their way to Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking to Reuters, the Customs Director-General, Subromaniam Tholasy said “This is the biggest seizure seen in our history in terms of value and weight.”
Methamphetamine also known as ‘Meth’, is a stimulant that is often used as a recreational drug. It is an illegal drug and banned in many countries. The UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime in its World Drug Report of 2017 stated that methamphetamine represents the “greatest global health threat”.
Image Credit:Reuters
