KUALA LUMPUR: More than half a billion ringgit worth of drugs were seized following various operations nationwide this year.
Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) said 26 tonnes of drugs as well as 5,175 litres of drugs in liquid form were seized between Jan 3 and April 12.
"The NCID also seized 135 tonnes of ketum leaves, 72,584 litres of ketum water and 189 ganja trees worth RM666.1mil during the same period," it said in a statement on the NCID official Facebook page on Friday (April 14).
A total of 217,553 individuals were detained this year for several drug-related offences, the NCID said.
"The NCID busted 346 syndicates involving 1,055 traffickers.
"One of the biggest syndicates was in Sabah, which trafficked ecstasy and drug-laced juices at entertainment outlets.
"Nineteen drug processing labs were also busted while 10 drug chemists were also detained," the department said.
Under a special operation codenamed Ops Tapis Khas, the NCID targeted drug dens, Felda settlements, people's housing projects and illegal jetties nationwide.
"Ops Tapis this year led to the arrests of 36,655 individuals including 4,969 drug pushers and 1,917 wanted persons.
"We also seized 4,633kg and 19,077 litres of drugs worth RM40.9mil during the operation," the NCID said.
A total of 9,901 hardcore drug addicts, who have previous records for drug-related offences were detained this year and they were prosecuted under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952.
The NCID said of those arrested this year, 1,049 of them were civil servants including five officers and four personnel from NCID.
"We will not compromise in taking action against those involved in drug abuse and trafficking," it said.
The NCID also came down hard on drug syndicates by seizing RM154.04mil of their assets.
"We opened 94,346 investigation papers (IPs), of which 87,700 IPs were successfully prosecuted," it said.
The NCID said it received 127 public complaints, of which 65 complaints were dealt with.
"We urge those with information on drug abuse and activities to contact the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.
