KUALA LUMPUR: Yaba pills, also known as "crazy pills" in Thailand, have become highly popular among addicts, including students, in Kelantan.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said this was due to the low price and easy availability of the drug.
He was quoted by Kosmo! as saying a yaba pill is sold for less than RM10 in Kelantan, compared to RM15 in other east coast states like Pahang and Terengganu, making it the most popular drug compared to cannabis, methamphetamine and heroin.
Yusoff said the low price was the main factor leading students in the state to become easily involved with the drug.
"The price of yaba here is low because transportation costs are much lower. If transported out of Kelantan, the risk of getting caught is higher.
"This is why many school students start getting involved with drugs," he told reporters after a meet-and-greet session at the state police headquarters.
Yusoff said the drug problem in Kelantan was at a serious level.
He said, last month, the largest seizure of yaba and heroin worth RM49.17 million in Jalan Pasir Mas-Salor, was evidence that the demand for these drugs is high and the situation is severe.
"Drug cases have also led to serious social problems in Kelantan," he added.