KUALA LUMPUR: Police busted over 300 drug dens in a three-day nationwide crackdown, seizing three guns and rounding up 5,200 suspects, including two 13-year-olds and 74 others aged below 18.
The operation, dubbed Op Tapis Khas, was spearheaded by Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department and was jointly conducted with the contingent’s counterparts since Friday.
Department director Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, who took on the job last December, said the swoop led to the arrest of many youths for drug use and dealing.
“The two 13-year-olds were caught for drug use. There were several drug pushers nabbed among those aged between 14 and 18,” he said, adding that the oldest suspect was 60.
He said that in total, 367 drug dens were dismantled. The bulk of the raids – totalling 69 – were carried out in Selangor.
A combined total of 212.6kg of drugs were seized amounting to RM3,587,324.
The drugs seized included 5.01kg of heroin, 30.2kg of syabu and 53.42kg of ganja. Three firearms were also seized.
“One was a revolver with three bullets in Perak. Two handmade rifles were seized in Sarawak and Negri Sembilan,” Comm Ayob said.
He said there was a need to press on following the successful raids, saying he did not want to see Ops Tapis conducted only once in three to four months.
“We have to ensure that this is consistent. I have spoken to the Inspector-General of Police and the Home Minister and both have agreed that Ops Tapis will be conducted at least once a month. Some of the dens are mobile, so we have to be consistent,” he said.
He described drug abuse as the country’s biggest enemy, adding that the department would continue its operations.
“But the fight against drugs is a joint effort with other agencies so that we can combat it in a holistic way,” he said.
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