Trading in danger
THE overseas arrests of 833 mainly young adult Malaysians for drug-related offences in just the few months between late last year and March 31 are a frightening testament to just how many have jumped onto the international drug-trafficking bandwagon. Some "lucky" ones will serve only prison sentences, while others who commit the crime in pro-capital-punishment countries will get death. That's the gamble that comes with the game, and it's a gamble many seem willing to take. The production and supply of illicit drugs is such a lucrative business that, given the right trade environment of strong demand and poor enforcement, might prove a calculable risk to those who have no qualms dealing in these despicable product.
But even though numerous cases have been highlighted of gullible young people who seem to believe in free lunches, it should not be assumed that Malaysians are only bit players in this game. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2009, Malaysia was "at the crossroads" of becoming a major market for amphetamine-type stimulants. And indeed, the US State Department's 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report found that international drug syndicates are increasingly turning to Malaysia for syabu and Ecstasy, while Nigerian and Iranian drug-trafficking organisations are using Kuala Lumpur as a "hub for illegal trafficking". And though previous backers have been from the Asia-Pacific (and, recently, Iran), suspicions that a Mexican cartel could be setting up a satellite hub here are worrying.
As a country whose ancient glory revolved around being an important maritime port between the spice and silk routes, the modern Malaysia is once again in a geographically-convenient spot. The "Malaysia Boleh!" motto represents a strong can-do spirit that has manifested itself through the centuries. That some of that enterprise has also made Malaysians famous for credit-card fraud and wildlife trafficking is unfortunate, but not surprising.
As a country whose ancient glory revolved around being an important maritime port between the spice and silk routes, the modern Malaysia is once again in a geographically-convenient spot. The "Malaysia Boleh!" motto represents a strong can-do spirit that has manifested itself through the centuries. That some of that enterprise has also made Malaysians famous for credit-card fraud and wildlife trafficking is unfortunate, but not surprising.
But the drug trade goes beyond the poisons that destroy lives and communities. It brings with it an entire system that is needed to support the business, like money laundering, human trafficking, smuggling and corruption. Drug cartel wars disrupt normal public life and order. The draw of drugs is so strong that seized drugs have, on occasion, disappeared from police evidence lockers -- stolen by those entrusted to uphold the law. At the moment, the drug trade has yet to reach its full criminal potential here. But in this instance, this is one can-do spirit that must be exorcised without hesitation or reservation.
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