KUCHING: Sarawak police have dealt a series of heavy blows to drug syndicates this year, with arrests surging by more than a third and the value of narcotics seized skyrocketing to RM53.7 million in an intensified statewide campaign against drugs.
The impressive results were achieved through intensified enforcement operations led by the Sarawak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), which has focused on dismantling trafficking networks and curbing drug abuse, particularly along border areas known to be vulnerable to drug smuggling.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the department had adopted a more aggressive and intelligence-driven approach, carrying out continuous raids and special operations between Jan 1 and Jun 7.
These operations targeted drug hotspots, entertainment outlets, public housing areas, illegal border crossings and international border zones, based on intelligence gathered by various enforcement agencies.
“Close cooperation with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), the Customs Department (JKDM) and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) has significantly strengthened intelligence sharing, border surveillance and joint enforcement operations.
“The coordinated efforts have translated into remarkable enforcement outcomes – 7,097 arrests recorded this year, up 34.1 per cent from 5,291 arrests recorded last year.
“Police also detained 342 suspected drug traffickers through targeted intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling distribution networks operating throughout Sarawak,” he said during the Sarawak Contingent p headquarters’ (IPK) monthly assembly today.
Meanwhile, the value of drugs and poisonous substances seized soared to about RM53.7 million, a staggering 563.9 per cent increase compared with RM8 million seized during the same period in 2025.
Mohamad Zainal said several active drug trafficking syndicates had also been crippled through integrated special operations conducted with other enforcement agencies.
He added that authorities had gone beyond making arrests by seizing assets under relevant legal provisions to deprive syndicates of their illicit gains and further weaken their operations.
