A total of 248,885 individuals were arrested for various drug-related offences from March 2024 to Feb 16 this year, with 719 of them being civil servants, Bernama reported.

Bukit Aman narcotics crime investigation department (NCID) director Khaw Kok Chin said the largest seizure involved methamphetamine, amounting to 39,397kg.

Among the other drugs seized were cannabis (3,203kg), ecstasy (2,513kg), ketamine (946kg), yaba pills (786kg), erimin 5 pills (758kg), heroin (596kg) and cocaine (89kg).

A total of 53,879kg of ketum was also seized.

Khaw added that 12 illegal drug laboratories had been uncovered during the period, resulting in the arrest of 47 individuals – including four chemists.

“A total of 219 syndicates were dismantled during the period, leading to the arrest of 675 individuals,” he told reporters after the official opening of the Sik police headquarters in Kedah today.

“In court cases, the prosecution rate recorded was 93.58%, while the value of assets seized amounts to RM98.1 million, with RM11.5 million being the value of assets forfeited due to drug-related offences.”

He said the strong demand and elevated prices of drugs in other countries had contributed to Malaysia being used as a transit point by traffickers, who send drugs abroad using containers.

According to Khaw, while the price of methamphetamine was between RM33,000 and RM35,000 per kg in Malaysia, it could rise to RM450,000 in other countries.