GOVT TO SEIZE PROPERTY OF ECSTASY PEDDLERS

Malaysia's anti-narcotics authorities will launch a massive operation
on hotels, nightclubs and pubs suspected of trafficking in the pills

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's anti-narcotics authorities have pledged to
get tough against peddlers of Ecstasy pills or any amphetamine
stimulants, threatening to confiscate their property when they are
arrested.

A massive operation is on the cards to raid 80 entertainment outlets
suspected to be involved in the supply and trafficking of these pills.

Peddlers will be arrested and their property seized, said the National
Narcotics Agency director-general commissioner Datuk Salleh Mat Som.

"We want to rid our country of the Ecstasy problem and if we have to,
we will use the powers provided for under the Special Preventive
Measures to go after those involved in such illegal activities," he
said.

His remarks came as narcotics officers in Johor busted a drug
syndicate with the arrest of 11 suspects and the seizure of RM1.35
million (S$620,000) worth of heroin and ganja and 208 Ecstasy pills
worth RM7,200.

Datuk Salleh said Home Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had
directed his agency to coordinate the enforcement against drugs and
stimulants with the police, Customs Department and the Pharmaceutical
Department.

The Home Ministry held a meeting with the agencies involved on April 7
to discuss the matter.

According to the anti-narcotics chief, police can seize properties
belonging to suspects involved in drug trafficking under the
Forfeiture of Property Act.

Datuk Salleh had said in previous interviews that all ill-gotten gains
from drug pushing must be confiscated under forfeiture laws although
they may have been passed on to others.

In 1996 a total of RM11.8 million was seized from traffickers. The
assets included houses, cash, bank accounts and vehicles.

Datuk Salleh said that his officers were ready to move in on outlets,
such as hotels, nightclubs and pubs suspected to be involved in the
distributing, selling and trafficking of the drug.

He said the roles of all the agencies involved in the operation were
clear-cut.

Datuk Salleh felt that the police should increase their operations
against traffickers and seize properties belonging to suspects.

The Customs Department would also have to step up checks along borders
as the drugs, especially the Ecstasy pills, came in from the
Philippines and Thailand's Golden Triangle.

"As for the Pharmaceutical Department, its task is to ensure
dispensaries and clinics do not sell such pills over the counter," he
added.