Negeri sembilan: Negeri Sembilan police seized various types of drugs worth RM19.4 million in drug trafficking and possession cases during the first six months of this year, with methamphetamine, cannabis, and ketamine accounting for the largest seizures.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, state police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad stated that police arrested 3,642 individuals for various drug-related offences, including 626 suspected traffickers, marking a 13 per cent increase from 555 during the corresponding period last year. Additionally, 1,204 individuals were arrested for drug possession, up 11 per cent from the same period last year.
Datuk Alzafny Ahmad revealed that of the 626 arrested, 97 were detained under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while 36 were held under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969. He noted that many of these individuals were masterminds, planners, and financiers of drug syndicates, apprehended at various locations, including entertainment outlets and drug-processing laboratories.
He added that those arrested were predominantly Malaysians from various age groups, comprising civil servants, the self-employed, and the unemployed. He also mentioned the possibility of foreign nationals being among those detained. Arrests for drug abuse, based on urine screening, dropped to 1,811 individuals compared with 2,354 during the same period last year.
Police have initiated action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988 to forfeit assets worth RM1.1 million linked to drug traffickers. Furthermore, the police disposed of various types of drugs and drug-processing equipment worth RM2.08 million, involving 685.5kg of drugs and 149.9 litres of liquid substances linked to 2,184 investigation papers dating from 2001 to this year.
The Negeri Sembilan Contingent Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department will transport all the exhibits to Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd in Bukit Pelandok, Port Dickson for disposal. This exercise involves exhibits from all districts in Negeri Sembilan, seized during police operations and after completing all court proceedings.
In a separate development, police have increased enforcement at 26 hotspots and 19 flashpoints across Negeri Sembilan in conjunction with the state election. These locations were identified based on assessments of previous elections and the latest evaluations by the Special Branch. A total of 4,800 officers and personnel will be deployed statewide, with an additional 1,373 officers and personnel from Bukit Aman to assist.
Datuk Alzafny Ahmad reminded all parties to avoid raising issues related to the 3Rs - race, religion, and royalty - during the campaign, as such matters could trigger tensions and undermine public order. Additionally, the state police have deployed 700 officers and personnel to assist Johor police in maintaining security during the Johor state election this weekend.