77,121 arrested for drugs

KUALA LUMPUR: Drugs worth about RM229mil were seized and 77,121 people, including 238 civil servants, were detained for related offences around the country in just the first five months of this year.

Between January and April, 1,225 people were detained over vehicle thefts during a nationwide operation involving 847 vehicles worth RM19.8mil.

The Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) said it seized 8.6 tonnes of drugs, 1,559 litres of liquid drugs, 38 tonnes of ketum leaves and 18 ganja plants from January to May.

“We detained 77,121 individuals for various drug-related offences, including 3,407 hardcore drug addicts and five drug chemists.

“We also busted 154 syndicates and seven drug labs,” it said on its official Facebook page yesterday.

A total of 238 civil servants were among those detained for various drug offences, the NCID said.

“Four of them were detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985,” it said, adding a total of 31,180 investigation papers were opened, of which 28,807 had been prosecuted.

“A total of RM44mil of assets belonging to syndicates were seized. We urge those with information on drug-related offences to contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222,” said the department.On vehicle thefts, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said the suspects were detained in an operation codenamed Ops Lejang Khas.

During the operation, 1,049 raids were conducted while 847 vehicles worth RM19.8mil were seized.

“We also seized RM502,865 in cash and opened 6,709 investigation papers.

“A total of 1,658 cases were solved while 639 or 9.5% of the total have been prosecuted,” said the department on Facebook.

Bukit Aman CID advised members of the public to take preventive measures by increasing security features for their vehicles.

“Our research showed the syndicates do not target vehicles equipped with extra security features.

“We also urge them not to delay in lodging a police report should their vehicles be stolen,” it added.

Members of the public should avoid parking their vehicles in secluded areas without CCTVs and should also test the effectiveness of their vehicle alarm system, it suggested.