An Iranian inmate serving time in Tapah Prison for drug-related offenses was apprehended on suspicion of possessing heroin, according to an announcement made by Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris on August 15.
The 39-year-old suspect, who has been incarcerated since 2018, was caught after prison officers noticed his suspicious behavior during a routine patrol in the prison hall. The inmate was reportedly sitting alone, facing the wall when the officers approached him. In response, he hastily threw a red plastic bag on the floor, which immediately drew the officers' attention.
Upon inspection, the officers discovered that the plastic bag contained two clear packets filled with a yellow substance, believed to be heroin, with a total weight of 46 grams. Additionally, the bag held one more packet containing a pink substance, also suspected to be heroin, weighing approximately 30 grams. These discoveries were made public by Datuk Azizi Mat Aris during a press conference at the Perak Contingent Police Headquarters.
Azizi revealed that the seized drugs have an estimated street value of RM1,900 and could potentially be distributed to around 50 drug users. He further explained that the inmate was already serving a 30-year prison sentence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, a law that imposes severe penalties for drug trafficking and related crimes. The inmate also has a criminal history with four prior records.
The police chief emphasized that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the heroin and how it was smuggled into the high-security prison. The authorities are also probing whether this inmate may be linked to a recent drug smuggling attempt involving the use of a drone. This incident has raised concerns about the security measures within the prison, especially with the involvement of technology in such illegal activities.
The police had intercepted an attempt to smuggle drugs into the same prison using a drone. The drone was found on the roof of one of the prison blocks, with a laundry bag hanging from it. Inside the bag, authorities discovered three packets of white powder suspected to be heroin, weighing a total of 122 grams, along with two packets containing crystalline substances, believed to be methamphetamine, weighing approximately 12.9 grams.
The recent cases have highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing drug smuggling activities, even within the confines of a prison. The use of drones for such purposes is particularly alarming, as it demonstrates the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to maintain their operations, even in highly secure environments. The ongoing investigation will seek to uncover any connections between the arrested inmate and the drone smuggling case, as well as any potential accomplices within or outside the prison system.
These incidents underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and stricter security protocols in Malaysian prisons to prevent further breaches and ensure that the nation's correctional facilities remain secure and drug-free.
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