KUALA LUMPUR: To date, there has been no reported entry of the drug type Fentanyl into Malaysia, but police will tighten security at borders to curb entry of the drug.
In a statement, Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Khaw Kok Chin said based on information and intelligence from international counterparts, there have been no attempts to smuggle this type of drug into the local market.
"However, in efforts to curb the entry of any type of drugs and prohibited substances, NCID, together with other enforcement agencies, will further tighten security controls at the national borders," said Khaw in a statement.
NCID is the primary enforcement agency in combating and preventing drug entry into the country, added the statement.
Yesterday, it was reported that Kelantan police have been put on high alert for the possible entry of fentanyl, also known as the 'zombie drug', into Malaysia.
The drug, a synthetic opioid reputedly 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, has already made its way into Thailand, and the authorities now fear that Malaysia could be its next destination.
Fentanyl has been blamed for fuelling what has been described as the worst drug crisis in the history of the United States.
It has been attributed as the leading cause of death in the US among people aged 18 to 45.