Drug arrests up sharply

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police contingent’s hard work and aggressive course of action has resulted in a decrease in the state’s crime index this year.

Outgoing State Commissioner of Police, Datuk Ramli Din, said from January to August 31 this year, the crime index dropped by 3.28 percent or 128 cases compared to the same period last year.

The case solving rate during the eight months time frame this year is 66 percent, he told reporters after handing over his duties to Deputy Commissioner of Police Datuk Omar Mammah, at the state police contingent headquarters in Kapayan yesterday.

According to to Ramli, cases involving theft is the major contributor to the state’s crime index as it recorded 45 percent of the overall figure.

He also pointed out that it is undeniable that theft has high correlation with drug abuse activities, therefore the Sabah police contingent in its effort to combat crime, implemented a double action strategy.

“We launched an aggressive action to combat the drug abuse issue in the state and this can be seen from the number of arrests and amount of drugs seized.

“As of August 31 this year, a total of 9,007 people were arrested for various drug related offences compared to 6,725 during the same time period last year.

Most of the arrests are for minor offences like possession of small quantity of drugs, he said, adding that last year they seized 55 kg of drugs while this year only 23.5 kg was seized.

“We are on the right track because even though the number of operations conducted increased, the results are cases involving possession in small quantities,” he stressed.

Police, he added, have also charged more repeat offenders under Section 39 C (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a sentence of minimum five years and maximum seven years imprisonment and maximum three strokes of the cane, if found guilty.

“In 2017, we charged 200 people compared to only 62 in 2016. As of August 2018, we have detained 196 people,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked on the case involving a police officer alleged to have committed sexual harassment, Ramli said that the individual has been transferred to the contingent headquarters and that investigation is in progress.

There were several reports lodged against the said officer, he said, adding that the officer will be charged if found to have committed the harassment.

Ramli will be heading to Bukit Aman as the new Inspector-General of Police secretariat (research and development) chief, and his post here will be temporarily filled Omar in an acting capacity.

The handing over of duties ceremony was witnessed by Bukit Aman Police Management Division director, Datuk Seri Asri Yusoff.

Asri said that the new Sabah Commissioner of Police will be announced in maybe one or two weeks time.

In his speech, Asri mentioned the issue of drug abuse among police personnel and that steps have been taken to nip the problem in the bud.

The situation, though not serious, must be contained, he said, adding that those found committing drug related offences will be asked to leave the force.