KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 4,000 suspects involved in alleged drug trafficking have been detained following raids on 113 illegal jetties and drug dens nationwide.

       The police operations called Ops Tapis 3 that involved 2,231 police officers and personnel from April 18 to 20 nabbed 3,724 individuals, including 618 “tokan” (drug traffickers).

       Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said of the jetties used for smuggling, Perak came up tops, with 14 jetties, followed by Sabah (12), Johor (11) and Kedah (10).

       “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 (made from the plant Mitragyna speciosa)” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman here yesterday.

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

       “Those arrested also included two university students and four secondary school students. They were in possession of drugs, 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 of ketum leaves, 526.71 litres of ketum water, 22.96kg syabu and 6.24kg heroin,” he said.

       Some RM2.9mil worth 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 curb the threat of drug menace,” he said, adding that the operation is aimed at traffickers at illegal jetties and fishing villages, as well as active drug dens.

       “The operation is also geared towards nabbing hardcore addicts, and cutting 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 012-208 7222 or the nearest police station,” he said.