BEAUFORT: Police have arrested several local men in connection with separate theft and drug-related offences in Beaufort and Kuala Penyu.
District Police Chief Superintendent Champin Piuh said a local man was arrested for allegedly being involved in the theft and vandalism of telecommunications cables belonging to a telecom company at a Telco substation in Kampung Binsulok, Membakut.
The arrest was made following investigations by the Beaufort District Police Headquarters Criminal Investigation Division (CID) after reports of damaged and stolen cables that disrupted telecommunications services in the area.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect admitted involvement in the incident as well as several other cable theft cases around Membakut.
“Police are continuing efforts to recover stolen property and determine whether the suspect is linked to other related offences,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code and Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
In a separate case on the same day in Kuala Penyu, police arrested a man suspected of stealing a spray gun and air compressor from a car wash premises in Periok-Periok.
Champin said the arrest followed intelligence gathering and investigations based on a report lodged by the victim in May.
The suspect admitted to committing the theft and stated that the stolen items had been sold, with the proceeds allegedly used to purchase syabu (methamphetamine).
Police believe the suspect acted with an accomplice who remains at large. Efforts are underway to locate the individual and recover the stolen items. The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, officers from the District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (NCID) and Kuala Penyu Police Station arrested a 32-year-old local heavy vehicle driver at Pemborong Fatanah, Jalan Nukahan, Kampung Kayul, for testing positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine in a urine test.
Champin said drug use, particularly syabu, among heavy vehicle drivers is a serious concern as it can impair concentration and significantly increase the risk of road accidents, endangering other road users.
Further investigations indicate that the suspect obtained the drugs from an individual who is currently being traced by police. Several other individuals believed to be involved in drug abuse activities have also been identified, and efforts to apprehend them are ongoing.
The Beaufort District Police Headquarters will continue intensifying enforcement operations to combat drug abuse and trafficking in order to safeguard public safety and community well-being.
