KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — The increasingly sophisticated methods used in drug smuggling require more advanced detection technology at the country’s entry points to ensure that syndicate activities do not escape the attention of the authorities, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said reliance on existing scanning machines at airports was no longer sufficient as the technology was developed to detect weapons and explosives, rather than prohibited substances such as drugs concealed using more complex methods.

In this regard, he said new analytical facilities were being put in place to enhance drug detection capabilities.

“The facilities currently available are based on old technology, while smuggling methods have become more sophisticated and, at times, drugs concealed on the body cannot be detected. That is true.

“That is why new analytical facilities are now being provided to detect drugs, in addition to the K9 (Detection Dog Unit). Sometimes, the presence of these dogs also poses an issue for some passengers. This new facility has been acquired, but for now, it is only available at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport),” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat today. — Bernama