KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman will strengthen cooperation with foreign enforcement agencies to better combat international drug syndicates, says Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

       The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director said the level of cooperation with other countries in terms of sharing intelligence was already at its highest.

       "However, we should have more joint enforcement operations in busting international drug networks and syndicates.

       "Such ties with other countries will be strengthened through these operations," he told reporters after attending a certificate presentation ceremony for participants of the "Countering International Drug Trafficking, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances" online course at the Russian Embassy on Wednesday (Feb 9).

       Comm Ayob Khan said drug syndicates were using Malaysia as a transit point while others used it as a production and distribution point.

       "Close to RM1bil worth of drugs were seized last year, a more than 100% increase over 2020.

       "It shows that strong cooperation between enforcement agencies of various countries is vital in effectively combating International drug syndicates," he added.

       Comm Ayob Khan said an example of such close cooperation was the online course organised by the Siberian Law Institute of the Russian Ministry of Interior.

       "Our police officers took part in the course which was held from Sept 20 to 24 last year.

       "We hope for more cooperation in the future," he said.

       Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov, who presented the certificates, said they were given to law enforcement officers from the Asean National Police Association (Aseanapol), including the Royal Malaysia Police.

       "As a dialogue partner, Russia is continuously dedicated to supporting Aseanapol in its capacity building efforts by regularly conducting specialised training and sharing its experience with officers from Aseanapol member countries, including the Royal Malaysia Police.

       "For past years, Russia's Ministry of Interior and Federal Security Service have organised a series of training courses for Asean police officers to share expertise, knowledge and best practices in countering various crimes including drug trafficking, computer terrorism and extremism," he said.