Customs Dept To introduce "Beeline" System At Int'l Airports To Curb Drug Smuggling

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Jan 27 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Customs Department plans to introduce the "beeline" system at all international airports to curb drug smuggling into Malaysia, a senior customs official said Thursday. Assistant Director-General Zainul Abidin Taib said many countries were practising the system which has proven effective in tracing movements of drug mules entering and exiting a country via airports. The department's data showed drug cases increased markedly last year, registering 92 cases with seizures totalling RM183.78 million, as compared with 74 cases with RM44.45 million worth of drugs confiscated in 2010, he said. (US$1=RM3.05) "This is worrying because international drug syndicates may have turned Malaysia into a hub for high-level drug smuggling," he told a media conference after the World Customs Day celeberations. Zainul Abidin said the system would provide time for the authorities to observe and screen suspicious characters as currently passengers arriving at the KL International Airport in Sepang can leave the airport in only 15 minutes. The proposal was in the final stages to be forwarded to the higher authorities, he said, adding that the customs department was discussing the system with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, the country's airport operator. To further beef up security, the customs department has bought hyper- sensitive scanning machines, BioSensor, which can detect drug-laden baggages. The machines, being used in Sweden, Japan and Thailand, will be introduced in Malaysia this year, he said. Besides drugs, the department was also focusing attention on smuggling of endangered animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Endangered animals like live pangolins, tortoises and gecko lizards as well as elephant tusks worth RM15.09 million were seized last year, he said. He urged the public to cooperate with the department by providing timely tip-offs on smuggling attempts. They can call 1-800-888-885 toll-free line or contact the nearest customs office, he added. -- BERNAMA