KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 135 individuals, including 121 lorry drivers, were arrested after testing positive for drugs during an integrated operation carried out by the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT).
The operation, conducted nationwide between April and June, involved the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK).
Bukit Aman JSPT director Comm Datuk Seri Mohammed Hasbullah Ali said 44 integrated operations involving 627 personnel were carried out during the three-month period.
"A total of 713 urine screening tests were conducted throughout the operations. As a result, 135 individuals were arrested, comprising 121 lorry drivers and 14 others.
"This means that nearly 90% of those arrested were commercial vehicle drivers," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Wednesday (July 1).
Comm Mohammed Hasbullah said the operations focused on drivers of trailers, lorries, express buses, workers' buses, school buses and vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
He said officers also inspected driving licences, permits and company documents to ensure that only qualified, competent and drug-free drivers were allowed on the roads.
Comm Mohammed Hasbullah said JSPT viewed drug abuse among commercial vehicle drivers seriously as it could impair concentration, judgement and vehicle control, thereby increasing the risk of fatal accidents.
Of those arrested, 27 have been charged under Section 31 of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
"Three others have been charged under Section 12(2), 101 under Section 15(1), three under Section 39A and one under Section 6 of the same Act," he said.
