Malaysia seizes over 26 million USD worth of crystal meth
More than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine worth 26.2 million USD was recently seized from a boat off Malaysia’s west coast, the largest-ever haul of the drug in the country, Malaysia’s maritime agency said on December 13.
MMEA officers show the drugs recently seized off Penang Island (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –More than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine worth 26.2 million USD wasrecently seized from a boat off Malaysia’s west coast, the largest-ever haul ofthe drug in the country, Malaysia’s maritime agency said on December 13.
Director-General of the Malaysian MaritimeEnforcement Agency (MMEA) Mohamad Zubil Mat Som said that the move came onDecember 9, when an MMEA patrol encountered a recreational boat movingsuspiciously off Penang Island.
Officials inspecting the boat found 130 sackscontaining 2.12 tonnes of crystal meth disguised as packets of tea. The boat’slone occupant, a 26-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested.
The origin and destination of the drugs arestill under investigation.
The official said the tea packaging was similarto that found in previous shipments suspected to have come from Myanmar.
Malaysia has made several record busts ofcrystal meth in recent years. Authorities have said the intercepted shipmentswere part of a multibillion-dollar illicit drug trade that stretches acrossAustralia, Southeast Asia and China./.
Thailand’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau announced on August 2 that authorities have arrested 1,374 suspects and seized drugs worth about 535 million baht (17.1 million USD) in a crackdown in the northern region from April to June.
Cambodia recorded a decrease in drug-related crimes in the first eight months of 2020, according to the latest report by the country’s National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) as reported by the Khmer Times.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on September 16 that the border checkpoints between Thailand and Myanmar are temporarily sealed in an attempt to curb possible COVID-19 infections and drug trafficking.
EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans said the EU has launched a new social media campaign entitled “Your Health Is Priceless” which aims to raise awareness of the harms that counterfeit pharmaceutical and healthcare products can cause falsified medicines in Southeast Asia.
The number of drug users in the Philippines has declined by more than half from 4 million in 2016 to 1.67 million in 2019, three years after President Rodrigo Duterte launched a crackdown on drug use, a survey has shown.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.