By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 26: Police detained 16 individuals who tested positive for drugs and arrested a 45-year-old man found in possession of ketamine during a raid on a nightclub along Jalan Canna here early this morning.
The operation, conducted at about 1.15am, was carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police Kuching District Police Headquarters (IPD) together with the Criminal Investigation Department and Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department Sarawak.
A total of 29 individuals comprising 25 men and four women were inspected during the operation.
Initial urine screening found 16 individuals positive for drugs, and they were detained under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In the same raid, police arrested a 45-year-old local man after discovering 5.17 grammes of suspected ketamine with an estimated street value of RM258.50.
Subsequent screening also found the suspect tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine. He has no prior criminal record.
The case is being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a jail term of between two and five years and whipping of between three and nine strokes upon conviction.
The suspect has been remanded for four days from April 27 to 30 under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assist investigations.
Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the operation was the result of continuous intelligence gathering and cooperation from the public.
He stressed that police will not compromise with any individuals involved in drug-related activities, adding that possession, distribution and facilitation of drugs are serious offences under the law.
He also said the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department remains committed to combating drug abuse and urged the public to channel information through official hotlines. — DayakDaily
