TEMERLOH: A drug conduit to Felda areas was severed when police arrested five men, including a Thai national, at a house in Jengka Central in Maran for suspected trafficking.
Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the suspects, aged 24 to 35, were arrested by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Maran district police headquarters at around 4pm on Thursday (Nov 14).
He said a check at the house uncovered an air rifle with 97 iron pellets in addition to a semi-automatic pistol with a clip containing two live rounds along with disassembled gun components.
He said various drugs like heroin, syabu, Yaba pills weighing 13.47g and RM1,330 in cash were confiscated.
"The four local suspects have criminal records including drug offences, and it is believed that this group has been active since the beginning of August.
"They targeted addicts around Jengka Central.
"With the arrest of these suspects, we have managed to suppress drug trafficking and abuse in the Jengka and Felda areas,” he told a press conference at the Kuala Krau police station here on Wednesday (Nov 20).
He said the remand period of all the suspects, who tested positive for drugs, ended today but would be extended.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 39A (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 and Section 6 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
On a separate matter, Comm Yahaya said police plan to build a gallery or museum at the Kuala Kurau police station to commemorate the bloody dawn attacks that took place in 1948 and 1949.
He said the gallery will hold records of events not only involving the station but can also surrounding areas.
"Given that the existing police station will move next year, we suggest that the old police station be turned into a gallery,” said Comm Yahaya, who also signed a commemorative plaque of the attacks.
The first dawn attack on June 26, 1948 killed Mahani Konel, the pregnant wife of policeman Mohd Yusoff Mohamad.
A policeman identified only as Hamzah was killed during the second attack on Sept 11, 1949 by communists during the Malayan Emergency. – Bernama