KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) will station officers from its Anti-Drugs Border Unit (UAS) at the two entry points of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link ahead of the service’s operation on Dec 31.
AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the two locations are the Bukit Chagar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Johor and the Woodlands North Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Singapore.
He said the matter was among those discussed at a bilateral meeting between AADK and Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in the capital today.
“The opening of the RTS Link service is set to significantly increase cross-border movement, thereby requiring strong coordination and preparedness among the enforcement agencies of both countries to ensure a safe environment free from the threat of drugs.
“This discussion provided an important platform for AADK and CNB to detail operational arrangements, mechanisms for coordinating officers, as well as rapid communication channels at the main entry points, namely ICQS Bukit Chagar in Johor and CIQ Woodlands North in Singapore,” he said in a statement.
Ruslin said the meeting, which he co-chaired with CNB deputy director (Operations) Aaron Tang, aimed to strengthen strategic and operational cooperation, particularly in addressing border security challenges ahead of the operation of the RTS Link.
The two agencies also reviewed developments in new trends in increasingly complex cross-border drug threats, including the use of technology and online platforms, the emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as the latest drug smuggling modus operandi.
He said the success of the bilateral cooperation was measured not only through official discussions, but also through concrete and practical follow-up actions undertaken by the operational teams of both sides.
“AADK remains committed to strengthening good relations in joint enforcement efforts with regional agencies to safeguard the well-being of the community and national security from the threats of drug abuse and trafficking,” he said.
-- BERNAMA