Six held in Penampang drug bust

PENAMPANG: Six local men were arrested and drugs worth an estimated RM480 seized during an integrated anti-drug operation.

The operation was conducted at several locations around Penampang from the Wednesday night until the early hours of Thursday.

Penampang District Police Chief Supt Sammy Newton said the operation targeted a café, areas surrounding entertainment outlets at Damas 118 Plaza and Kepayan Point, as well as a condominium unit in Nosoob.

He said the raids resulted in the arrest of six local men aged between 27 and 40 for suspected offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Investigations led to the seizure of 20.5 millilitres of liquid believed to contain MDMA/Psilocybin with an estimated value of RM360 and 5.41 grammes of suspected cannabis valued at about RM120.

“The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at RM480,” he said in a statement.

Sammy said initial investigations found that one of the suspects was believed to be supplying drugs to several other individuals detained during the operation.

He said information obtained from the initial arrests led to the detention of another suspect and a follow-up raid at a condominium, where police discovered cannabis and arrested two more suspects.

Urine screening tests showed that five of the six suspects tested positive for THC, while checks revealed that several of them had previous drug-related records.

“The Penampang District Police will continue to intensify operations against drug trafficking and abuse, particularly at entertainment outlets, business premises, cafés and other locations identified as gathering points for drug users and dealers,” he said.