HILIR PERAK: The number of students becoming drug distributors is on the rise, marking a whopping 173 per cent increase in those arrested last year.
In 2015, a total of 41 students were busted for being drug distributors. That number rose to 112 last year, marking a worrying increase.
Federal police Narcotics Department director Datuk Seri Mokhtar Shariff said that in total, 987 students were arrested over drug-related offences last year. He said the majority of them (539) were from higher learning institutions while 448 were from secondary schools.
He said the total number of arrests also showed a 20 per cent increase, as 821 students were arrested in 2015.
"Ninety seven per cent of those arrested were male students. If you're truly a student, please go study. Why are you taking or selling drugs," he lamented.
Mokhtar was speaking at a press conference at the Hilir Perak police headquarters today.
He added that a total of RM189.95 million worth of drugs were seized by the police's Narcotic Investigation Department the whole of last year, compared to RM238.87 million in the corresponding period in 2015.
In addition, 200,586 people were arrested for various drug offences for the same period last year, compared to 182,787 people in 2015.
Meanwhile, Mokhtar said police had arrested 99 people including 18 foreigners for various drug offences between Dec 27 and Dec 29 in 86 raids in the district.
"Eighty seven of them tested positive for drugs. Police also seized 96.61 grammes of heroin, 71.97 grammes of syabu, 168.65 grammes of ganja and 12 Eramine-5 pills.
"Police also confiscated a revolver, a fake pistol, 49 bullets, a handcuff, two magazines, a fake grenade and six parang," he said.