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Kota Kinabalu: Sabah police arrested 13,298 people for various offences and seized drugs worth RM263.82 million in the first six months of this year.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun (pic) said the arrests were made through operations by the Criminal Investigation Department, Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and Commercial Crime Investigation Department statewide.

The narcotics department also seized about 3.7 tonnes of drugs and arrested more than 30 people linked to the cases, he said.

“Our crime situation remains under control following the arrests of many individuals involved in criminal activities,” he told reporters after the Sabah Police Commissioner’s monthly assembly at the State Police Headquarters, here.

Jauteh said police also raided 13 scam call centres that had begun operating in Sabah, leading to the arrest of more than 300 people.

He said the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department similarly recorded encouraging results in solving traffic-related cases.

“Overall, the security situation in Sabah is well under control. There are no threats or issues that could cause public concern,” he said.

Jauteh attributed the results to the commitment of the police and other enforcement agencies in the State.

Separately, he said integrated operations to demolish illegal squatter structures and curb unlawful water and electricity connections would continue.

The operation, which began on July 15, is currently focused on squatter settlements from the Alamesra area towards Tamparuli and will gradually be expanded to other identified locations.

Jauteh said police were working with the Sabah Water Department and other agencies to cut illegal utility connections and monitor whether they were reconnected.

“We cut the connections today and monitor them the next day. If they are reconnected, we will cut them again,” he said.

Four people had so far been arrested in connection with water theft and handed over to the Water Department for further investigation. Jauteh said residents in the affected settlements comprised locals and IMM13 pass holders.

Police were also investigating whether some individuals owned several rental houses within the squatter settlements.

“This is part of our effort to assist the Sabah Government in addressing water losses,” he said.