KUCHING: The Sarawak government is ready to donate dogs which can be trained to detect drugs to relevant federal agencies in the state, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“The Sarawak government is willing to buy or gift them the sniffer dogs but the federal government needs to take care of them and provide trainers for them.
“The federal government should also be responsible for paying the salaries of the staff who manage the animals later,” he told a press conference at Dewan Mulu, Baitul Makmur II building on Monday (Apr 12).
According to Karim, so far, the parcel system is the main method used by suppliers to distribute drugs to buyers in the state.
He said relatively dense housing areas that lacked basic infrastructure were clearly the focus of drug activities in the state.
“Statistics from the Sarawak National Anti -Drug Agency (AADK) show that 777 people are in prison for drug related offences.
“From January to March this year, the Royal Malaysia Police records show RM4.8 million in drug seizures with 2,058 people detained,” he added.
He said the biggest amount of drugs seized comprised 44,688.56 gm of Syabu worth RM3,324,264, followed by Ecstasy (16,203 pills worth RM1,099,313.40), 8,003,06 gm of Cannabis worth RM400,153 and 2,383.12 gm of Ketamine worth RM357,468.
