KOTA KINABALU: Since 2023, a total of 4,167 people have been arrested for drug-related offences in Sandakan, Sabah – an average of five arrests a day, according to police.
Sandakan OCPD Asst Comm Ahsmon Bajah said during the latest month-long Ops Tapis Khas Pemutihan, police in Sandakan arrested 152 people and seized drugs and various assets worth over RM350,000.
The targeted anti-narcotics operation across 10 hotspots was conducted from March 20 to April 20 involving 15 tactical teams under the Sandakan district police.
He said the suspects were being investigated under various provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act, including Sections 39B, 39A(1), 15(1)(a) and 12(2).
“We seized multiple types of drugs, including over 1.3kg of syabu, ecstasy in powder and pill form, ketamine and 235ml of drug-laced liquid commonly referred to as ‘vape mushroom’,” he told a press conference at the Sandakan police headquarters yesterday.
Items confiscated also included jewellery, cash and five vehicles – bringing the estimated total value of items seized to RM350,000.
ACP Ahsmon said public cooperation had played a vital role in the success of the operation.
“Fifteen per cent of the arrests were based on tip-offs from the public.
“I urge the residents of Sandakan to continue reporting any drug-related activities they come across.
“We guarantee the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential – that is our commitment,” he added.
Information can be conveyed through the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app, via IPD Sandakan’s QR code available on social media, or by visiting any police officer directly.
