KUCHING: Drug pushers in Sarawak have been found distributing their wares in packages disguised as fruit juice, according to police.
State police commissioner Comm Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said this was the latest modus operandi uncovered in a special operation codenamed Ops Tapis Khas, conducted statewide from Monday (Feb 27) to Wednesday (March 1).
"From our intelligence gathering, the drugs are couriered in from Peninsular Malaysia and then repacked with papaya or mango juice labels on them," he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Friday (March 3).
Comm Azman said police arrested 282 people for various drug-related offences during the three-day operation led by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID).
Those arrested, including 14 women, were aged between 17 and 63 years.
Urine tests on 197 of the suspects came back positive for drugs.
"Action was taken against four repeat offenders for drug addiction under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act," he added.
Police also seized drugs worth RM227,000 during the operation: 2.2kg of syabu, 67g of ganja, 0.25g of ketamine and 13 Erimin 5 pills.
"The most drugs were seized in Miri with a total value of RM100,000, followed by Sibu with RM65,000 and Kuching with RM55,000," Comm Mohd Azman said.
In addition, he said police seized property worth RM71,200, including a vehicle worth RM50,000 in Kuching and cash and jewellery worth RM21,200 in Miri.
Comm Mohd Azman also said the Sarawak NCID made 2,266 arrests from Jan 1 to Feb 28 this year, seizing drugs worth RM3.4mil and property valued at RM814,000.
"The Sarawak NCID is committed to eradicate the drug menace to ensure the security and wellbeing of society," he said, adding that the public could call the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222 to give information on drug-related activities.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
