KUANTAN: Pahang police have apprehended 9,662 individuals for various drug-related offenses within the year until August, as well as confiscated illegal drugs worth over RM7.9 million.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman stated that during the same duration, the state police narcotics crime investigation department also seized, among other items, diverse vehicles and over RM2.2 million in cash.
In addition to daily arrests, the police have conducted several anti-drug operations in the state through the 2nd Ops Hawk in Pekan, Maran, Lipis, and here from Sept 5-7, Yahaya added.
He mentioned that during the operations, which involved over 100 officers and personnel, 287 individuals were detained, including nine women whose ages ranged between 17 and 60. Additionally, various types of drugs valued at around RM38,830 were seized.
“The offenses committed included drug trafficking, positive drug tests, arrests of wanted individuals, as well as the detention of four men under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985,” he explained in a statement on Friday (Sept 8).
Yahaya further highlighted that the operations were concentrated in Felda areas, riversides, and fishermen’s jetties.
Through Ops Hawk, the police succeeded in reducing the number of drug hotspots in the state by shutting down five hotspots in Felda areas and one in a riverside location.
He also emphasized that the police have taken the initiative to enhance enforcement under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act, whereby hardcore addicts or repeat offenders can receive longer prison terms of no less than five years, along with corporal punishment.
“This approach allows for the separation of hardcore addicts and new addicts. By separating them, new addicts have a higher chance of undergoing rehabilitation without being influenced by the hardcore users,” he explained. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
