JOHOR BARU: The Johor police have confiscated over seven tonnes worth of drugs with an estimated value close to RM100mil throughout the year 2024.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) remained committed to aggressively combating drug trafficking syndicates across the state.
He added that through continuous operations, NCID Johor has successfully apprehended numerous syndicate members and seized large quantities of drugs and drug-processing equipment.
“Operations such as “Ops Pemutihan” and “Ops Tapis”, carried out across various districts, have targeted high-risk areas including Felda settlements, private plantations, fishing jetties, public housing projects (PPR), low-cost residential areas, bus and taxi terminals, and known drug hotspots.
“These efforts have significantly curbed drug distribution and abuse in Johor, as reflected in the department’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) achieved by the end of 2024,” he said in a statement here on Wednesday (Feb 5).
Comm Kumar shared that throughout 2024, NCID Johor conducted 21,093 raids, inspecting 46,878 individuals.
“A total of 25,065 people were arrested for various drug-related offences, making Johor the third-highest state in Malaysia for drug-related arrests.
“Authorities seized 7.30 tonnes of drugs worth RM99.76mil, an amount estimated to have supplied 3,653,081 drug users.
“In addition, 25 large-scale drug syndicates were dismantled, leading to the arrests of 99 syndicate members. Assets worth RM17.23mil linked to drug syndicates were also confiscated,” he added.
Among NCID Johor’s most significant achievements was the success of “Ops Jaring 12” on May 29 2024, which led to the seizure of RM12.63mil worth of drugs and the arrest of 14 individuals, including foreign nationals involved in an international drug trafficking syndicate.
Another major success was recorded through “Ops Jaring 23” on Oct 15 2024, which resulted in the largest drug bust of the year.
“Authorities seized and confiscated drugs and assets worth RM28.58mil and arrested seven members of a local drug trafficking syndicate,” he said.
Regarding repeat drug offenders, Comm Kumar said that a total of 739 individuals were arrested under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 by the end of 2024, marking the fourth-highest number of such arrests in Malaysia.
If convicted, offenders face imprisonment of between five and seven years and a maximum of three strokes of the cane.
“Additionally, under the Special Preventive Measures (LLPK) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1985, 139 individuals were detained, representing the second-highest number of such arrests among all contingents in Malaysia,” he said.
Those found guilty under this act may be subjected to a two-year detention order at a rehabilitation centre or a two-year restriction order requiring them to report regularly to the police.
Overall, NCID Johor successfully met all its KPIs for 2024. The Johor police urge the public to continue providing information on drug-related activities in their communities. Reports can be made via the NCID hotline at 012-2087222.
