Kuala lumpur: Twenty-three individuals, including a Form Six student from a school in Jitra, were detained by the Kedah National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) after returning from a holiday in Thailand during the National Day break this morning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kedah AADK director Khairul Anwar Ahmad stated that the arrests were made under Op Merdeka 2025. This operation was conducted from 3 pm on Saturday until 1 pm today at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex.

Khairul Anwar explained that the operation involved three officers and 12 personnel who focused on detecting drug abuse among incoming travelers and preventing cross-border smuggling. During the operation, 30 vehicles and 15 motorcycles were inspected, resulting in 31 individuals being ordered to undergo urine tests. Of those tested, 23 individuals were found positive for various drugs.

The detainees included 21 men and two women, aged between 18 and 40. Among them were the Form Six student and her 25-year-old partner, who were apprehended at 6 am today. The student tested positive for ketamine, which was believed to have been consumed while partying at an entertainment outlet. Other detainees tested positive for cannabis, methamphetamine, and MDMA.

Khairul Anwar mentioned that all those detained are being held under Section 3(1)(a) of the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 for further action. Initial investigations suggest that most of the detainees were first-time users experimenting with drugs at entertainment venues. He emphasized the AADK’s recommendation for continued student screenings to detect drug use.