Ops Hawk: Pahang Police Record 902 Cases, 1,094 Arrests

KUANTAN, April 29 (Bernama) -- A total of 902 cases and 1,094 arrests were recorded by Pahang police during four series of Ops Hawk conducted from January to April this year to combat drug abuse in the state.

State police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the operations targeted areas identified as drug hotspots, including FELDA settlements and locations flagged through public complaints.

“Of the total arrests, 167 were for drug supply cases, 308 for possession, and 619 for positive urine tests,” he told a press conference after the Blood Donation Campaign Programme held in conjunction with the 219th Police Day celebration at the Alor Akar Police Complex here today.

Yahaya said those arrested were aged between 15 and 77, with the youngest being a teenager who had dropped out of school.

Apart from the arrests, he said Pahang police had also tracked down and rearrested 166 wanted individuals, as well as taking preventive action against 20 individuals under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

“Action was also taken against a total of 295 hardcore addicts under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.

Yahaya said during the operation, more than 43kg of drugs worth an estimated RM158,054 were seized, involving methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Yaba pills, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), ketum leaves and 355.6 litres of liquid ketum.

“The police also seized various assets suspected to be linked to drug activities, including cash and vehicles, with a total value of RM266,120,” he said.

He said Ops Hawk would continue throughout the year to curb drug abuse and address other social impacts linked to it.

In another development, Yahaya said Pahang police were giving full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the investigation into a senior police officer over alleged corruption.

Media reported yesterday that a senior police officer had been remanded for five days until May 2 to assist in investigations into allegations that he solicited and received bribes amounting to around RM64,000 in return for protecting unlicensed entertainment outlets in a district in Pahang.

--BERNAMA