Malaysia: Almost 6,000 detained nationwide in three-day anti-drug op

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 5,791 people were arrested for various drug offences following a three-day nationwide special operation codenamed Ops Tapis Khas, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din.

The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director said suspected drug addicts accounted for the most arrests at 3,226, including four civil servants and two students.

"A student was among 534 drug pushers detained.

"We also detained 247 wanted persons as well as 1,784 individuals for other offences," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 1).

The special operation from Jan 29 to 31 also saw the seizure of 128.3kg of drugs worth RM610,071, he added.

"Among the drugs seized were 4.1kg of heroin, 4.02kg of syabu, 23.7kg of ecstasy powder and 8.7kg of ganja.

"The drugs seized could have been supplied to 287,530 addicts," he said.

More than RM900,000 of assets belonging to syndicates were also seized.

"Among them were vehicles worth RM876,500, jewellery worth RM18,600 and RM34,872 cash," Comm Mohd Kamarudin added.

He said the operation focused on Felda and Felcra areas, People's Housing Projects (PPR), jetties and suspected drug dens.

"Our objective was to track down and detain drug pushers and destroy drug dens.

"We also targeted hardcore addicts and those wanted for drug offences," he said.