Cops nab 58 drug addicts at Johor oil palm plantation

MERSING: A total of 58 drug addicts were arrested by the police under ‘Ops Tapis’ at an oil palm plantation in Felda Tenggaroh here on Thursday (Feb 17).

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said that the suspects were arrested after villagers that worked at the plantation lodged a police report on their harvest being stolen.

“The suspects were arrested during a joint operation with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and the majority of them are hardcore addicts," said Comm Kamarul Zaman.

“Our investigations revealed that all of the suspects are plantation workers that have stolen other people’s harvest to be sold. The money they got from it would then be used to buy drugs,” he said.

He said this after the Dialogue Session Programme with Felda Tenggaroh residents at Felda Residence Tanjung Leman here on Sunday (Feb 20).

Comm Kamarul Zaman added that the addicts tested positive for heroin and syabu and said that the police are not taking the matter lightly as similar cases also occurred in other Felda locations.

“There are 72 Felda locations across the state and each location has cases of drug abuse where the suspects have either been arrested or are currently being investigated.

“That is why we are going to continue to conduct these operations so that we can eradicate the root cause of this social issue,” added Comm Kamarul Zaman, saying that the suspects are aged between 20 and 50.

“We need full cooperation from Felda settlers themselves to share information to the police so that we can stop these activities from escalating,” he said, adding that the case is investigated under Section 15(1)(a) and Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.