KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded over RM30 million in drug seizures from 5,774 enforcement operations conducted between January and August this year.
Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that the operations, carried out by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), and the Sarawak National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), resulted in 8,199 arrests.
Of these, she said, 396 were for drug trafficking, 1,353 for possession of drugs and substances, and 6,450 individuals tested positive for drugs.
“Kuching recorded the highest number of arrests with 1,732 individuals, followed by Sibu (936), Miri (766), Bintulu (670), and Samarahan (432).
“A total of 552.12kg of drugs and substances in compressed form, along with 42,523 pills, were seized by JSJN and the Customs Department.
“The impact of these seizures has prevented 172,537 instances of drug and substance use, potentially saving 21,567 individuals over the course of a month,” she said in a statement.
Fatimah noted that the strengthening of JSJN staffing across 13 districts in Sarawak, as announced by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain on Oct 18, will enhance the state’s efforts to combat drug abuse more efficiently and effectively.
She emphasised the Sarawak government’s strong support for the initiative, adding that it aligns with the state’s One Stop Committee (OSC) on Drug and Substance Issues’ efforts to curb drug distribution and abuse in Sarawak.
“With this strengthening of manpower, I believe more enforcement activities and joint or covert operations can be conducted to disrupt the supply and activities related to drugs in Sarawak,” she added.
Sarawak has 28 police districts, with 15 having full staffing for the district narcotics investigation division, while seven districts only have one sergeant.
Four districts have minimal staffing, consisting of one inspector, one sergeant, and either a corporal or lance corporal. Two districts, Song and Tatau, do not have JSJN officers.
Thus, the manpower strengthening will cover 13 districts that currently lack full JSJN staffing.
