Published on: Friday, December 09, 2005 |
Sandakan: Narcotics Criminal Investigation Deputy Director, SAC I Datuk Ahmad Tajuddin Abdul Majeed, from Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur, has warned business operators against turning their premises into havens for drug-related offences.
According to him, there had been numerous reports of youths frequenting entertainment outlets and indulging in drug frenzy, like taking hallucination pills, among others.
The operators should alert the police of any instance of young patrons indulging in drug addiction or trafficking within their premises, he said.
He was speaking to reporters after attending a meeting with police personnel at the Sandakan marine police base here, in conjunction with his one-day official visit to the municipality, Wednesday evening.
Also present were Sabah Marine Police Chief, ACP Mohd Sueb Abdullah, and senior marine and narcotics personnel.
Ahmad Tajuddin said errant operators risk having their equipment confiscated if found to have tolerated drug-related activities within their premises.
Those found involved in taking drugs could either be placed on restricted residence elsewhere or sent to drug rehabilitation centres, he added.
Meanwhile, Mohd Sueb commended the marine police for having intensified their operations against smuggling activities, particularly those involving drugs.
He refuted allegations that marine police personnel had allowed drugs to be smuggled into the country via Sabah. On the contrary, the marine police had conducted active, regular patrols in the waters off Sabah.
This resulted in 104 drug-related offences recorded between January and November this year, against 10 cases last year.
Furthermore, the marine police made the largest seizure of 157.59gm of drugs during the same period this year.
Sandakan alone recorded 417 drug-related cases during the first 11 months this year, resulting in the arrest of 468 persons, against 366 cases and 382 arrests last year.
