Drug lords are our main target - Ayob Khan

KUALA LUMPUR - The police will prioritise targeting the mastermind syndicate to combat drug trafficking activities, taking action under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and Section 130V of the Penal Code.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay highlighted distinctions in the day-long operation aimed at arresting masterminds in Sabah compared to previous operations.

He pointed out that while past operations focused on seizing tons of valuable goods, this time, the operation would be conducted under Organised Criminal Offences and Sosma, targeting all members, senior individuals and masterminds associated with the syndicate.

"We will focus our efforts on arresting the syndicate leader to address the challenges associated with drug distribution and smuggling.

"If not, we may need a long time to solve the drug issue, that's our focus on the syndicate now," he said.

He said this in a press conference after the handing over ceremony to Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) Director at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here on Friday.

Commenting on whether there were masterminds hiding behind non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Ayob Khan said, the matter was still under investigation.

He clarified that if any noteworthy findings emerge, the police would share the information with the media.

"The police understand the duty of the media is to report to the community, but at the same time, the media needs to understand that there are things that we can share and there are things that we cannot share because we are worried that it could affect the investigation and interfere with police operations," he said.

In a raid on Monday, Bukit Aman's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department in collaboration with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) busted one of Sabah's largest syabu-type drug trafficking syndicate, suspected to have been operating since 2015.

The raid was carried out at 2.45am around Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Semporna and managed to arrest 10 men, including the main mastermind of the syndicate who is also the patron of a 40-year-old NGO.