NPS ABUSE POSES NEW GLOBAL CHALLENGE - DIG

KUALA LUMPUR,  May 7 (Bernama) --  Apart from cybercrime, the abuse of the new psychoactive substances (NPS) that are increasingly available through the internet has also raised concerns due to its serious impact on social and economic developments.

These issues which are transborder in nature called for strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies globally said Malaysian Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

“Rapid growth of information technologies have unfortunately enhanced cybercrime and NPS abuse activities globally. The increasing use of digital devices, encryption methods and anonymity services poses complex technical challenges for law enforcement agencies. 

“The transborder nature of these emerging threats makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to pursue legal actions due to jurisdiction limitations. Thus, cooperation between different countries' law enforcement agencies is crucial in addressing these challenges.” 

He said this in his keynote address before officiating the Seminar on Cybercrime and Substance Abuse organised on the sideline of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2024, here, today.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), NPS have become a global phenomenon with 141 countries and territories from all regions of the world having reported one or more NPS.

Up to November 2023, a total of 1,230 substances have been reported to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory (EWA) on NPS by Governments, laboratories and partner organisations.

NPS available on the market have similar effects as substances under international control such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy) or methamphetamine. 

-- BERNAMA