SANDAKAN: Sixteen suspected drug traffickers and addicts were arrested in separate operations, recently.
District Police Chief ACP Ashmon Bajah said on April 17, the IPD Sandakan Narcotics Crime Investigation Division arrested a man suspected of dealing syabu under Section 39B and Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA 1952, another man under Section 12(2), and a third man under Section 15(1)(a) at Kampung Tinusa 2 Batu 7.
“On April 16, two men were arrested in Kampung Suan Lamba under Section 3(1) of the DDA (Special Preventive Measures) 1985.
“Whereas, on April 15, the Sandakan Intelligence Task Force Unit and the Tiger Platoon Unit of Battalion 15 PGA carried out Ops Taring Sky at Kampung Setinggan Atas Air Batu 3, and arrested a man suspected of drug dealing under Section 39B and Section 15(1) (a) of the DDA 1952,” he said.
According to him, a follow-up action from the first arrest led to the arrest of another man suspected of drug distribution under Section 39A (1) and Section 15(1) (a) of the same act.
Additionally, two more men were arrested in the stilt hut area, which was believed to be used for drug dealing and abuse.
On the same day, the Sabah Police Headquarters Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) arrested a man in Taman Mawar, Sandakan under Section 39B and Section 15(1) (a) of the DDA 1952.
“Meanwhile, on April 14, three men were arrested under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) (a) of the DDA 1952 during Ops Tapis Narkotik in Kg Kombo, Jalan Batu Sapi, and Taman Grandview, Sandakan, which was carried out by the IPD Sandakan Narcotics Crime Investigation Division.
On April 13, the same division carried out Ops Tapis Narkotik in Taman Mesra Batu 4, Sandakan, and arrested two men under Section 15(1) (a).
The team then raided areas around Bandar Leila, including a hotel room in Bandar Ramai-ramai, Sandakan, and arrested a man under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a), and a woman under Section 15(1)(a).
On the same day, a patrol unit under Crime Prevention and Community Safety Division (JPJKK) arrested another man in the same area under Section 15(1)(a).
“All these operations are part of the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat drug dealing and abuse across the State,” Ashmon said.
