KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police aim to have 500 arrests per month for drug-related crimes in the city.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said that this effort is aimed at reducing crime rates in the city.
He added that drug-related offences are linked to the occurrence of other criminal activities.
"In my vision and mission as sistrict police chief, we are targeting to increase the arrest rate to reduce public fear, adhering to the principle of 'no day without an arrest'.
"This effort will focus on drug offenders. We are aiming for 15 arrests per day and up to 500 per month.
"We also aim to record up to 100 arrests for repeat drug offenders under Section 39(c) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, compared to the current 87 arrests, to reduce drug abuse cases and subsequently lower crime rates," he said at a press conference at IPD Kota Kinabalu today.
Kasim said that from May to July this year, 87 supply cases were recorded under Sections 39B, 39A(2), and 39A(1) of the DDA 1952.
"During the same period, 474 arrests were made for possession under Sections 12(2), Section 6 of the DDA 1952, and Section 30 (3) of the Poison Act 1952, while 790 urine tests were conducted under Section 15(1)(a) of the DDA 1952.
"We have also investigated 1,351 cases with 1,365 individuals involved in drug distribution and abuse throughout this year.
"At the same time, we are conducting planned operations, including Special Ops Tapis, to combat drug distribution and trafficking in target areas, with 84 individuals successfully arrested, involving five supply cases, 26 possession cases, and 53 urine tests," he said.
He added that from May to July, 2,338.87 grams of methamphetamine, 351.41 grams of marijuana, 10.98 grams of ketamine, and 90,000 grams of kratom, estimated at RM110,585 based on current drug prices, were recorded.
"In addition to daily operations to curb the entry and distribution of illegal substances in the district, we also conduct regular monthly operations in entertainment venues to ensure thorough eradication of drug distribution and abuse.
"This effort also aims to tackle drug distribution syndicates that are persistent and constantly seeking new methods to distribute illegal substances to target groups for their criminal activities," he said.