PENANG: A total of 179 drug kingpins were banished from the state under special preventive laws last year, said state Narcotics Department chief Supt Hasbullah Mustafaa.
“These kingpins, who were responsible for the bulk of the state’s drug supply, were sent to the drug detention centre in Johor.
“Most of the illicit drugs such as heroin and ganja were smuggled here from a neighbouring country,” he said.
Supt Hasbullah said several major drug pipelines had been severed with the arrest of the “major players,” adding that more would be picked up over the next several months.
“We managed to seize more than RM2.1mil worth of property from these drug traffickers last year. They included houses, electrical goods, jewellery, cash and vehicles.
“Our investigations showed that the bulk of the properties were bought with money obtained from the sale of illicit drugs,” he said at his office yesterday morning.
Supt Hasbullah said 35 other major drug traffickers, who dealt mainly in amphetamine-type stimulants and methamphetamine crystals, were rounded up under the same preventive laws between January and last month.
He said they were also going after operators of karaoke lounges, bistros and Internet cafes where private “head-shaking” parties were held for their patrons after they closed for the night.
“We have identified a few of these outlets and action will be taken against the operators,” he said.
He said checks showed that the patrons were mainly youths.
On March 9, a George Town police team raided a karaoke lounge in Macalister Road and rounded up 53 people.
The “head-shaking” party was in full swing when the place was raided at 7.30am.
More than half of those at the party were in their early 20s and tested positive for drugs.
Did you find this article insightful?
