‘Drop‑off’ deliveries now traffickers’ weapon of choice, police warn couriers to stay sharp

KOTA BHARU, June 15 — Kelantan police have called in more than 10 courier service companies operating in the state to share information on the latest modus operandi employed by drug syndicates, which have been found using parcel delivery channels to facilitate their activities.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the initiative was intended to heighten vigilance among courier companies and their employees after numerous drug cases were found to involve courier services.

He said courier firms had been asked to keep records of senders’ particulars, including details of their identity cards and phone numbers, to aid investigations should any offences arise.

"We have urged them to remain alert, and where a parcel raises suspicion, customers may be asked to open it before courier personnel for an initial check," he said after the Kelantan Police Contingent Headquarters monthly gathering here today.

Mohd Yusoff said courier companies had been informed of a new trend involving “drop-off” deliveries, in which parcels are registered online and left at designated collection points without direct contact between senders and staff.

According to him, the method complicates efforts to identify senders because fewer details are recorded compared with over-the-counter transactions.

Mohd Yusoff said there was no evidence to suggest that any courier company had been involved in drug smuggling, although some employees had been questioned in connection with ongoing investigations.

He also urged courier firms to consider using scanning devices in the future to help identify suspicious items in parcels and enhance delivery security measures. — Bernama