By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, May 24: Kuching recorded the highest number of individuals arrested involving the use of drugs and illegal substances with a total of 836 arrests, since January this year.
According to Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, since January 2021, the police have made a total of 3,012 arrests throughout the State.
“From the total number of arrests recorded since January, Kuching recorded the highest number with a total of 836 individuals, followed by Bintulu with 267 individuals, Samarahan (260 individuals), Miri (231 individuals) and Sibu (211 individuals),” she said during a press conference on the One-Stop Committee for Addressing the Issues of Drugs and Substance (OCS MIDS) Sarawak periodic reports for April, held via Zoom application, today.
On the same note, Fatimah disclosed throughout the month of April 2021, a total of 20,079 grammes (about 20 kg) of drugs and substances, including 217 pills were seized by the Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) and the Custom Department, with a total estimated value of RM225,219.
She said throughout last month (April), a total of 569 enforcement operations had been carried out throughout the State by the authorities involved which resulted in 717 arrests, where 51 involved drug trafficking and 169 involved possession of drugs and substances, with 507 individuals tested positive for drugs.
“The seizure has prevented 20,188 usage of drugs and illegal substances, as well as saving 5,407 individuals for the period of one month throughout the State.
“As a result of the arrest and seizure, we are able to curb the supply and also the demand for illegal drugs and substances in the State by restricting the supply chain, which is also part of the two main strategies of OCS MIDS Sarawak action plan,” she added.
She also pointed out that in efforts to ensure those who are involved to stop from continuing the use of drugs and illegal substances, the One-Stop Committee for Handling of Drugs and Substances (MIDS) will continue to focus on intervention action involving treatment and rehabilitation.
“For the period of April 2021, a total of 88 individuals are undergoing their rehabilitation in the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen), 1,963 other individuals in the community (1,924 people under surveillance (OKP), 27 in Cure and Care, 12 in the One-Stop Centre for Addiction (OCSA) and 87 in non-governmental organisations (NGO),” she said. — DayakDaily
