KOTA KINABALU: City police are aiming to arrest up to 500 people a month for drug-related crimes to enhance safety in the city.
Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm Kasim Muda said the focus would be on drug offences linked to other criminal activities.
“As the city police chief, my vision and mission are to increase our arrests to alleviate public fear, holding to the principle of ‘no day without arrests’.
“This effort will focus on drug offenders, with a target of 15 arrests daily, totalling up to 500 arrests per month,” he told reporters on Thursday (Aug 8).
Additionally, the police aim to increase the number of arrests of repeat drug offenders under Section 39(c) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 from 87 to 100.
This is part of a broader strategy to combat drug abuse and related criminal activities, said ACP Kasim.
From May to July this year, ACP Kasim said city police detained 474 individuals for drug possession and made an additional 790 arrests following urine tests.
“We have also opened investigations into 1,351 cases, leading to 1,365 arrests for drug trafficking and abuse throughout the year.
“Simultaneously, other operations, including Op Tapis Khas, have targeted drug trafficking networks, suppliers, and abusers, resulting in 84 arrests,” he said.
During the same period, police seized various drugs including over 2kg of syabu, 351.41gm of cannabis, 10.98gm of ketamine, and 90kg of ketum, which were all worth RM110,585.
In addition to daily operations against drug trafficking and distribution, police also conducted regular anti-narcotics operations at entertainment centres around the city.
“These efforts aim to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates that continuously seek new ways to distribute illegal substances to their target groups,” he said.
On squatter colonies, ACP Kasim said 262 illegal structures have been demolished between May and August.
Five squatters, who were illegal immigrants, were arrested for refusing to vacate these squatter houses.
Cleanup operations have focused on areas such as Kalansanan, SMK Tun Fuad, Sulaman Jaya, Sabah Trade Centre and Kampung Numbak.
“Operations will be conducted weekly, and we also warn employers who persist in hiring illegal immigrants to cease doing so, as they may face investigation and action under Section 55 of the Immigration Act,” he said.
