KUALA LUMPUR – Drug users as young as 14 were among more than 5,700 people arrested, while RM1.55 million worth of substances and assets were seized in a major drug bust conducted nationwide, police say.
Op Tapis Khas was held over three days from January 29 to 31 in several areas across the country, including Felda and Felcra settlements, residential areas, fishermen jetties and places where users are known to gather, said Bukit Aman narcotics crime investigation (NCID) chief Datuk Seri Kamarudin Din.
Of the 5,791 people arrested for various drug offences, 247 of them had been on the police’s most wanted list.
The bulk of those arrested, 3,226 people, were drug users. This included four civil servants and two students.
Another 534 were arrested for being suppliers, including one student.
Another four civil servants were among 1,784 people arrested for other drug-related offences.
“All those arrested are between 14 and 80 years old,” Kamarudin said in a statement.
A total of 128.3kg of drugs in powder and pill form were also seized, and 16,076 litres in liquid form.
The heaviest haul was chemicals weighing 53kg, followed by ecstasy powder (23.7kg), caffeine (19.4kg), ketum leaves (12kg) and cannabis (8.7kg). About 4kgs each of heroin and syabu were also seized.
In liquid form, ketum (kratom) juice was the largest amount seized at 16,068 litres, followed by codeine (7.7 litres) and vape liquid (0.35 litres).
“The total amount of drugs seized is enough for use by 281,530 people,” Kamarudin said.
RM934,972.31 worth of assets were also seized during the raids, of which RM34,872.31 was cash and vehicles worth RM876,500.
Jewellery worth RM18,000 and watches totalling RM5,000 in value were also seized.
Op Tapis Khas last month was the first for this year, conducted with a massive force of 2,281 personnel, and Kamarudin said police would continue drug-related activities. – February 1, 2024