GEORGE TOWN: The state police confiscated various drugs amounting to RM30.7mil last year, recording a higher bust rate from 2022.
Penang deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said the seizure was from 27 large-scale drug busts of syndicates in 2023, compared to 26 the year before.
“We arrested 79 people including 12 foreigners connected to the 27 raids.
“The drugs involved were heroin-based, heroin, syabu and ganja,” he said during a press conference at the state contingent police headquarters yesterday.
In the latest raid on Feb 9, two men aged 23 and 34 were caught at around 8.30pm in a car parked in a lane in the southwest district on the island, said DCP Mohamed Usuf.
“The car had 19.9kg of ganja, which was kept in transparent plastics and gold paper,” he said, adding that the drugs were estimated to be worth RM62,000 and for local consumption.
“It could have catered to 40,000 people or consumed 40,000 times,” he said.
Both men, he said, tested positive for drugs while the 34-year-old has a record of three prior drug-related offences.
The two have been remanded for seven days from Feb 10.
DCP Mohamed Usuf said based on their performance review last year, there had been an increase in arrests for various crimes.
“We arrested 14,001 people last year, compared to 13,078 people in 2022, which amounts to a 7.06% hike.
“Based on crimes related to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, be it for possession or distribution, we arrested 8,366 last year compared to 8,152 people in 2022.
“The number of cases testing positive for drugs almost doubled with 4,434 arrests recorded in 2023 compared to 2,991 in 2022.”
He added that 25 civil servants were arrested for drug offences last year.
“This shows the need for collaboration with other agencies through information sharing and drug eradication efforts,” he said.
DCP Mohamed Usuf said other arrests involved the Poisons Act with 1,611 arrests, up from 1,301 in 2022; arrests under Special Preventive Measures at 114, up by four cases from 2022; and repeated drug distribution at 659 compared to 559 the year before.
“We will continue to be steadfast in our fight against drugs and we urge those with information to always reach out to us,” he said.
