KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) recorded 1,084 positive drug cases from inspections at the country’s border entry points for the period 2024 to March 31 this year.

AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the number was obtained from screening of 3,625 Malaysians returning from neighbouring countries, especially during the festive season and school holidays.

He said in 2024, a total of 494 individuals were arrested after testing positive for drugs involving 444 men and 50 women with methamphetamine recording the highest number of cases at 148 cases, followed by ketamine (109 cases), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabis (96 cases), ‘4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine’ (MDMA) (80 cases), benzo (62 cases), ketum (23 cases) and opiates (four cases).

“Last year, a total of 415 people were arrested, involving 392 men and 23 women, with the highest drug recorded being methamphetamine in 140 cases, followed by ketamine (108 cases), THC (70 cases), benzo (59 cases), MDMA (31 cases), opiates (five cases) and ketum in two cases.

“A total of 175 individuals aged 18 to 60 were arrested this year until March 31, involving 167 men and eight women, with the highest drug recorded being methamphetamine in 65 cases, followed by ketamine (43 cases), THC (32 cases), MDMA (22 cases) and ketum (13 cases),” he told reporters after the 2026 Drug-Free Aspiration Tour: Gombak-Kita Turun Padang Aspiration Tour in Kampung Kemensah, Ulu Klang, here, today.

Ruslin also reminded Malaysians not to involved in drug abuse while abroad because strict action can be taken under the Drug Addicts Act 1983.

According to him, AADK has placed Border Anti-Drug Units in Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan to monitor the entry of Malaysians from neighbouring countries.

“All the units are placed in the relevant locations to monitor entry movements and carry out inspections including at the ferry route in Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ruslin said, the 2026 Drug-Free Aspiration Tour (JABD) Programme in Kampung Kemensah, Ulu Klang also involves the Kampung Angkat Bebas Dadah (KABD) initiative.

He said KABD is a national community-based initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and promote a healthy lifestyle. — Bernama