Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
Source: Star (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2000 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  13 Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: http://www.thestar.com.my
Author: Frederick Fernandez

DRUG PUSHERS TRAWL WEB FOR USERS AND EVADE COPS

SHAH ALAM: Ecstasy syndicates are planning to sell the drug on the
Internet to avoid detection now that the authorities have stepped up
action against them.

Selangor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ismail Nik Yusoff said police had
received information that these syndicates might try to sell Ecstasy
pills under the guise of pharmaceutical products on the Internet.

"We have information that they will resort to using the Internet to
advertise as well as make sales so we are on the lookout for the
culprits,'' he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Pointing out that such methods were already practised in other
countries, he said syndicates were resorting to the Internet as most
cyber surfers were youth who were the target of Ecstasy pushers.

DCP Nik Ismail said statistics showed that the majority of those who
took Ecstasy in Selangor were college students.

He urged parents to monitor the movements of their children especially
those who frequented nightspots.

Between May and July, DCP Nik Ismail said 1,007 people aged between 17
and 45 were caught in possession of Ecstasy at entertainment joints in
Ampang, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Gombak and Selayang.

 From the raids, police also seized 2,901 Ecstasy pills and 71.9 kg of
powdered substance used to make amphetamine stimulant type (ATS) pills.

DCP Nik Ismail said he was confident that the strong commitment by MCA
in waging an all-out war against consumption of Ecstasy pills and
illegal horse-racing video machines in the country would bear fruit.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake