THE recent attempt to smuggle drugs into Tapah prison using drone technology reinforces the urgent need for stringent restrictions on drone operations above correctional institutions, said Wanita MCA.
Its national chairperson Wong You Fong said a joint task force involving the relevant authorities must be established to stringently enforce prohibition on drone flights over prisons unless specifically authorised by the relevant authorities.
“Given the serious security threats posed by unauthorised drones, including drug smuggling and potential weaponisation such as releasing airborne diseases or chemical or biological toxins, we strongly advocate for the installation of advanced anti-drone systems at all prison facilities,” she said.
“This includes signal jammers and interception technologies to detect and neutralise unauthorised drone activities effectively.”
Wong said violations of these restrictions should result in severe legal consequences, including fines and criminal charges.
“Any drone operation request near a prison must require written pre-approvals, detailing the purpose, flight plan, and security measures,” she pointed out.
“Authorisation should only be granted for justified purposes like official inspections, with strict adherence to security protocols while all equipment needs to be pre-inspected.
“Any permission granted needs to be confined to vetted operators who must be required to comply with all regulations and guidelines, including maintaining a safe distance from the facility, avoiding surveillance of sensitive areas, and ensuring that the drone does not interfere with the facility’s operations or security systems.”
According to Wong, restricting unauthorised drone operations is critical to safeguarding prison security and preventing contraband smuggling.
“Collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to maintaining a secure prison environment,” she added.
On Saturday (Aug 10) Bernama reported that police had seized a drone believed to have been used to smuggle drugs into Tapah Prison, where a drone was spotted on the rooftop of a building by a prison sergeant the day before.
Perak police chief Azizi Mat Aris said a dhobi bag containing drugs was found attached to the drone, and preliminary investigations indicated that inside the bag was a packet containing three plastic packets filled with white powder suspected to be heroin, weighing 122g.
The police also found two transparent plastic packets containing crystal lumps suspected to be methamphetamine, weighing 12.9g.
Interestingly, this is not the first time drones have been utilised in drug operations in the country.
In June 2020, Johor police were reported to be tracking down a Singaporean man known as Boy Setan, who was the prime suspect in an investigation into drug smuggling using drones.
In December 2022, Kelantan police arrested three men for allegedly trying to smuggle prohibited items into a rehabilitation centre in Machang using a drone. – Aug 13, 2024
Main image: The Star
