Three-day drug op in Perak nets 486 suspects

IPOH: A total of 486 people have been arrested for drug offences in Perak during a three-day operation, with assorted drugs worth over RM55,000 seized.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said on Friday (Nov 24) that those arrested were aged between 16 and 67, five of them women.

The operation codenamed Ops Tapis was conducted statewide from Monday to Wednesday (Nov 20 to 22).

He said among the drugs seized were heroin (235.67g), syabu (234.2g), ganja (48.71g), ketum leaves (10kg), ketum water (32.45 litres), and Erimin 5 pills (30).

Comm Mohd Yusri said drug haunts in areas such as fishermen's jetties, Felda and Felcra estates, people's housing projects, and poor and hardcore poor housing were the focal points of the operation.

“The operation also recorded a total of 21 arrests under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

“Fifteen of those arrested were on the wanted list.

“The highest are cases under Section 15(1)(a) of the Act (for administering of a dangerous drug), which saw 216 arrests.

"Seventy-eight people were arrested for trafficking drugs,” he told a press conference at state contingent headquarters here.

Comm Mohd Yusri said cash and vehicles worth RM22,500 were also seized.

“The success of the operation is thanks to continuous cooperation between the community and police, especially with the Perak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department.

“I urge the community to continue to channel any information on drugs to the police to curb this menace,” he added.