IPOH: A 39-year-old Iranian inmate at the Tapah Prison was caught with 76g of heroin in his possession yesterday.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said prison officers on patrol had apprehended the inmate.
"They noticed the man, who was alone, facing the wall, and looking suspicious during the 1.15pm incident.
"When the prison officer approached the inmate, he was seen taking something from his trousers and throwing a red plastic package onto the floor.
"The officer inspected the plastic and found two transparent packets containing a yellow substance suspected to be heroin, with an estimated weight of 46g, and one transparent packet containing a pink substance suspected to be heroin, with an estimated weight of 30g," he said.
Azizi said this during a press conference at the Perak police headquarters today.
He added that the total value of the seized drugs is estimated to be RM1,900, and it could be used by 50 drug addicts.
"The inmate had been convicted under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and had been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
"He has been at the prison since 2018," he said, adding that the inmate had criminal records involving drug offences.
Azizi urged the public to continue providing information related to drug abuse to ensure the state remains free from the threat of drugs.
When asked whether the man was involved in the recent attempt to smuggle drugs into the prison using a drone, Azizi said that police were still investigating the matter.
"We will investigate this from all angles, whether he is related to the drone case or not.
"The prison has tightened its security, and we are also investigating how he obtained the drugs and how the drugs entered the prison," he said.
On Aug 13, Azizi said police had taken statements from five Tapah Prison warders regarding the recent attempt to smuggle drugs into the prison using a drone.
"So far, we have taken statements from five warders. They include guard post officers, officers monitoring the CCTV, and those who discovered the drone and drugs," he said.
On Aug 10, Azizi said authorities intercepted an attempt to smuggle suspected drugs into the prison using a drone.
He said the Tapah police headquarters received a tip-off from a prison staff member around 5pm on Friday about the incident.
Asked whether police have questioned inmates regarding the drone case, Azizi said it was still in process as it is part of the ongoing investigation.
"We are collaborating with Tapah Prison in this case, and it is still under investigation," he added.