Six held for drugs, two for illegal scrap trade

MUKAH: Six individuals were arrested for suspected drug offences and two others were held for running an unlicensed scrap business during an integrated crime prevention operations here.

Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the operation, Op Bersepadu Pencegahan Jenayah, was carried out from 8.30pm on Sept 18 to 3am the following day, involving 32 officers and personnel from various branches led by Insp. Muhammad Nor Hafizuddin Husin, Head of the District Narcotics Crime Investigation Branch.

“The operations covered Mukah town, Selangau town, Jalan Pan Borneo Sibu-Bintulu and Jalan Mukah-Selangau, using roadblocks, crime prevention patrols, snap checks and inspections at entertainment centres.

“A total of 140 individuals, including three foreign nationals, and 125 vehicles were checked,” he said.

He said a snap check at an entertainment centre in Selangau town led to the arrest of six local men and women aged between 30 and 41 on suspicion of drug-related offences.

“A cut plastic straw and a transparent plastic packet containing crystalline substances believed to be methamphetamine, weighing an estimated 1.65 grammes, were seized from one of the suspects,” he said, adding that one investigation paper was opened under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and six under Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act.

In a separate case, Rizal said two local men aged 20 and 21 were arrested at the junction of Jalan SK Sungai Bayan, Mukah, for allegedly operating an unlicensed scrap metal business, being investigated under Section 6 of the Second-Hand Dealers Act 1946 (Act 189).

“A van, nine white sacks containing aluminium cans, a weighing scale and assorted scrap metal were seized,” he said.

He added that all suspects were taken to IPD Mukah for further action, and 21 traffic summonses were issued during the operation.

Two suspects arrested with the van and scrap metal seized by police officers

Rizal assured that Mukah police would continue intensifying crime prevention operations to safeguard public safety and order, and urged anyone with information on illegal activities to contact Mukah IPD at 084-871222 or the nearest police station.