POLICE in Sarawak carried out statewide lightning drug raids at urban and rural locations in this vast state recently, arresting 328 drug pushers, dealers, abusers and traffickers.
State police chief Datuk Mancha Ata said that the drug swoops were carried out in a special operation on January 29.
“The raids were carried out in urban and rural locations, targeting residential and commercial areas and even in rural plantations, settlements and riverine fishing villages.
“The anti-drug operations lasted until January 31,” he said in Kuching.
About half of those arrested were foreigners, he said.
Those caught were aged between 16 years and 29, he said. There were 309 men and 19 women nabbed.
Mancha said police have intensified the war against drugs in this state as it is serious in wanting to tackle this menace.
He said the state police have set up a special hotline specifically to tackle the drug scourge.
The hotline 012-2087222 will enable anyone to call and give information pertaining to drug abuse or drug trading activities.
Mancha said the line is being manned by the Narcotics Unit and Criminal Investigation Department.
“The hotline is one of the ways we are using in our war against illegal activities on drugs and drug abuses.
“We call for public cooperation to help us tackle the drug woes,” he said.
On January 16, three men in Miri were arrested for alleged involvement in drug trafficking. One was arrested at the Miri airport while two others were nabbed at a supermarket parking lot near the city.
The suspects aged 22, 29 and 45 are believed to have been involved in trafficking 25.7kg of syabu via the airport.
The drugs seized are worth RM848,100 and could be used by 128,500 addicts.
The case is being probed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act for trafficking.
Last year on October 12, Sarawak police had seized an even bigger haul of 42.2kg of drugs in Kuching and arrested five locals who included a teenager.
The 42.2kg of syabu drugs seized could be used by up to 212,495 addicts.
The drugs were meant for distribution in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
On May 19 last year, Sarawak police had also arrested a young man aged only 18 years old who was found with about 52kgs of syabu.
The drugs were estimated to have a street value of some RM1.89 million. – The Vibes, February 4, 2024
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