JOHOR BARU: Johor police have arrested 9,506 individuals, including members of drug syndicates, since early this year and have charged 70% of them in court.

       State police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the 5,016 individuals were charged with possession of drugs.

       “We busted 16 syndicates and seized some 10.9 tonnes of various drugs valued at RM352mil,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

       Comm Ayob said last year, Johor police arrested 18,837 individuals including 8,390 for drug possession, and 8,916 for trafficking. Fifteen were syndicate members.“This was the largest number of drug-related arrests made by a police contingent in the country.

       “In 2020, Johor police, through our narcotics department, disposed of 877.4kg and 251.63 litres of various types of drugs worth RM14.6mil. It involved 3,844 cases that has been solved and 51% of those arrested have been charged in court,” he said.

       Comm Ayob added that they would dispose of some 1.7 tonnes and 3,717 litres of drugs worth RM28.9mil from cases that had been solved between 2000 and 2020.

       “The police have always remained committed and aggressive in carrying out operations to stop drug smuggling and trafficking syndicates throughout the country, in particular within Johor,” he said.