Police have formed a special task force to investigate cases of syndicates using drones to smuggle drugs into prisons, revealed Narcotics Crime Investigations Department (NCID) director Khaw Kok Chin.

He said the team would work together with the Prisons Department on the matter.

“NCID personnel from Bukit Aman will jointly investigate the latest case with Perak police. We hope to track down the culprits,” he told The Star.

Last Saturday, an attempt to smuggle drugs into the Tapah prison was foiled by a warden who spotted the drone on the prison rooftop.

Upon inspecting a laundry bag that was attached to the drone, the warden discovered three packets containing white powder which are believed to be heroin and methamphetamine.

Attempts made elsewhere

According to Khaw (above), similar attempts were also made at prisons in Kedah, Malacca, Kelantan and Sarawak.

Tapah Prison

Although the drugs were seized, police have been unable to apprehend the operators of the drones.

Sources told The Star that the operators of the drones are believed to be located some 1km from the prisons.

“We believe the plan was to drop off the drugs at a specific spot within the prison grounds for the arranged inmate to pick it up.

“But the tight security and watchful eyes of prison wardens make it very hard to pull off,” said one of them.

Khaw said police would discuss with the relevant authorities the legality of owning and operating drones.

Prisons commissioner-general Nordin Muhamad said following the incident in Tapah, prisons will be equipped with systems to intercept drones.

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