KUCHING: Sarawak police arrested 391 people and seized various types of drugs, believed to be valued at RM122,310 in a state-wide anti-drug operation, dubbed as ‘Ops Tapis Khas’.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the suspects, including 369 men and 22 women, aged between 16 and 64 years old.
He said the highest drug seizure was recorded in Sibu, which was worth RM91,048, followed by Kuching (RM8,490) and Kapit (RM5,955) as well as other districts.
The three-day operation which began on June 21, also saw the team confiscating drugs, such as 337.2g of syabu, 13g cannabis, 3.9g ketamine as well as 1.611kg of packet juice laced with ketamine or methamphetamine, 500 ecstasy pills, an 315g Erimin 5 pills.
“The amount of the drugs seized can cater about 2,674 drug abusers,” he said at a press conference at the Sarawak Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) here today.
He said the suspects were arrested from 30 suspected drug dens, 12 residential areas, two private farms/plantations, and other various premises and locations throughout the state.
Meanwhile, 283 of the suspects have been tested positive for various drugs.
Mohd Azman said the operation led by the NCID together with National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) was conducted in line with the ‘Ops Tapis Khas SeMalaysia’.
He also revealed that seven suspects are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADB) 1952; four suspects under Section 39A (2) ADB 1952; 19 under Section 39A (1) ADB 1952; 68 under Section 12 (2) ADB 1952; while another three individuals under Section 6 ADB 1952; and 278 under Section 15 (1) (a) ADB 1952.
The seven suspects, he said, including six men and a woman, aged between 30 and 41, are being investigated under Section 3 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
“They have been charged under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a jail term up to seven years and whipping up to three lashes, upon conviction,” he added.
Mohd Azman said a total of 325 investigation papers were opened. Of which, 116 have been charged in court while the rest are still under investigation.
From January 1 to June 23 this year, Sarawak NCID have recorded a total of 4,410 arrests, seized various types of drugs worth RM8,755,508 and confiscated properties worth RM1,576,863, from Jan 1 to June 23.
