JOHOR BARU: Seventy-four individuals who tested positive for drugs were detained during raids at two different entertainment outlets in Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri.
The raids involved 40 officers and personnel from the Johor Police Contingent Narcotic Crime Investigation Department and its Integrity and Standards Compliance Department.
“All suspects, aged between 20 and 50, were apprehended on Tuesday (Sept 5) between 1.30am and 3am,’’ Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said in a statement.
He said preliminary urine tests showed the suspects – 20 females and 54 males – were positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), benzodiazepine (benzos), ketamine, and methamphetamine.
“The two entertainment outlets have valid business licences, but they operate beyond the permissible business hours,’’ said Comm Kamarul Zaman. Police inspected 253 individuals at both outlets.
He said police also detained two cashiers working at the outlets, and they have been handed over to the Criminal Departments of Johor South and Iskandar Puteri Police District headquarters for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 11(2) of Johor State Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 4/98 and Section 15 (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
All suspects have been remanded from Tuesday (Sept 5) until Wednesday (Sept 6) to assist with the investigation.
Comm Kamarul Zaman also urged those with information on drug distribution activities in their areas to contact the Johor Police Contingent Criminal Investigation Department hotline at 012-208 7222.
