PETALING JAYA: Methamphetamine, a deadly synthetic drug popular among youth, topped the list with over 102 tonnes of dangerous narcotics worth RM1.67bil seized by police over the past year.

Making up about 40% of the nationwide haul, the Narcotics Crime Investigations Department (NCID) seized 39.4 tonnes of methamphetamine.

Among the other drugs that were seized included 3.2 tonnes of ganja, over four tonnes of various stimulant pills, 946kg of ketamine and 596kg of heroin.

Almost 54 tonnes of ketum leaves were also confiscated.

Concerned over the widespread distribution networks of the drug and the alarming spike in addiction rates, NCID director Comm Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin said despite the huge seizure and efforts to intensify anti-drug operations, the war against methamphetamine is far from over.

“The battle against methamphetamine cannot slow down as drug syndicates are constantly evolving, finding new ways to distribute it,” he told The Star.

Methamphetamine, he said, is highly destructive.

The drug, he said, can harm the user’s physical and mental state within a short period.

It can also impact their future and destroy their relationships with their loved ones, he added.

“We urge the public to join hands with the authorities to fight it. Be our eyes and ears, and report drug activities when you come across such cases. We cannot allow it to stifle nation-building,” he said.

Since taking over the NCID in March last year, Comm Khaw has led dozens of operations in the all-out war against drug lords besides ensuring that offenders face the full wrath of the law.

Up till Sunday, 248,885 people were arrested for drug-related offences of which 60% of them tested positive for drug use.

The rest were held for possession and drug pushing.

The NCID busted 219 drug syndicates as well, arresting 675 people linked to them.

It also mowed down 526 drug haunts where 1,370 addicts were held nationwide.

Almost 94% of 82,457 investigations into drug-related cases that the NCID handled saw offenders being charged in court for various offences.

Comm Khaw said among those arrested were 719 civil servants for drug possession and abuse.

He said police also busted 12 clandestine drug laboratories in the country, nabbing 47 people including chemists.

According to him, police impounded RM98.1mil worth of assets and funds of offenders of which RM11.5mil were forfeited.

Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research said methamphetamine is among the most dangerous drugs as it can lead to intense addiction, causing extensive brain damage and affecting physiological functions.

He said regular users often face difficulty in quitting their habit, with many of them relapsing.

“The success of the NCID in seizing large quantities of methamphetamine over the past 12 months is an exceptional achievement in the fight against drug-related crime,” Sundramoorthy said.

“This massive seizure not only significantly disrupts the supply of methamphetamine on the streets but also helps reduce its harmful impact on communities.

“The success of this operation is a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance, proactive measures and coordinated efforts to prevent further damage caused by this deadly drug,” he added.

Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the government must pay close attention to the distribution of methamphetamine due the harm it causes to youth.

“The NCID led by Comm Khaw has shown outstanding commitment in the war against dangerous drugs,” he said.

This article first appeared on The Star.