KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 3,724 individuals, including 618 "tokan" (drug traffickers), were detained following raids on 113 illegal jetties and 168 drug dens nationwide.

       The operation, codenamed "Ops Tapis 3", which involved 2,231 police officers and personnel, was conducted from April 18 until 20.

       Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said of the illegal jetties, the most raided was in Perak with 14 jetties, followed by 12 in Sabah, 11 each in Johor and Sabah and 10 in Kedah.

       "It is imperative we bust the illegal jetties and drug dens to effectively curb drug offences.

       "We detained 3,574 men and 150 women for various drug offences during the operation, including nine civil servants.

       "Three of the civil servants tested positive for drugs, while six others were in possession of ketum water," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Friday (April 22).

       Among others arrested were 618 tokan, 1,719 addicts and 174 wanted persons, he said.

       "Among those arrested also were two university students and four secondary school students. They were in possession and tested positive for drugs.

       "The youngest detainees were seven 13-year-olds, who were school dropouts," he said.

       Comm Ayob said some 811.38kg and 542.37 litres of drugs worth RM1.01mil were seized during the raids.

       "We seized an array of drugs including 769.49kg ketum leaves, 526.71litres ketum water, 22.96kg syabu and 6.24kg heroin," he said.

       Some RM2.9mil of assets were seized during the operation including a terrace house worth RM2.3mil, Comm Ayob said.

       "Ops Tapis Khas will be conducted once a month nationwide to give more impact on curbing the threat of the drug menace," he said.

       Ops Tapis Khas was aimed at tracking down drug tokan at illegal jetties and fishing villages, as well as to bust active drug dens, Comm Ayob said.

       "The operation is also geared at nabbing hardcore addicts as well as traffickers.

       "We also aim to cut the supply to drug traffickers," he said.

       Comm Ayob said he hoped the public will continue to cooperate with the police in combating drug trafficking and abuse nationwide.

       "We urge those with information to contact the NCID hotline at 012-2087222 or the nearest police station," he said.