11,472 individuals nabbed for various drug offences in Johor

JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Police arrested 11,472 individuals for various drug offences through Op Tapis, conducted across the state from Jan 1 to Oct 12.

Johor Police Chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the operation was carried out by the state's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) involving hotspots such as fishing jetties, people's housing projects (PPR), drug addicts' ports and Felda areas.

He said during the operation, 23,973 individuals were inspected, and 11,472 were arrested for various drug offences.

"They comprised 10,692 men and 780 women aged 13 to 70. A total of 2,240 people were nabbed for drug supply cases, drug possession (3,912) and addicts (5,320).

"Also arrested were 3,100 individuals with wanted status. Of the total arrested, 796 people were taken action under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said in a statement last night.

At the same time, a total of 195 drug pushers were arrested, an increase of 43.38 per cent compared to 136 people during the same period last year.

Kamarul Zaman said that their arrest was carried out under Section 3(1) of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, adding that they were subject to a detention and restriction order for two years at the Moral Rehabilitation Centre.

The measure could reduce substance abuse by removing drug dealers and addicts from the community through imprisonment for a period of five to seven years, he added.

Police also seized 2.94 tonnes of drugs worth RM12.43 million in the operation.

"The confiscated drugs consisted of 62.22 kilogrammes (kg) of heroin, syabu (118.87 kg), ganja (144.78 kg), ketamine (18.42 kg), Erimin 5 pills (54,084 pills).

"Also seized were yaba pills (3,974 pills), ecstasy pills (20,900 pills), ecstasy powder (35.17 kg), ketum leaves (984.07 kg), ketum water (16,743 litres), nospan pills (306 pills), drug powder (267.30 kg) and magic mushroom (18.18 kg) and property worth RM7.5 million," he said.

-- BERNAMA