KUANTAN: Pahang police arrested 348 individuals, including 11 women, believed to have been involved in various drug offences in a three-day nationwide operation codenamed ‘Op Hawk’ which began on Tuesday (April 23).

Its police chief, Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said all suspects, aged between 19 and 60, were detained in the operation carried out by the state Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN).

“In the operation, 288 raids were conducted with 474 inspections carried out, as well as 10 drug dens in Felda areas were successfully dismantled,“ he said in a statement today.

He said also arrested in the operation, involving 140 police officers and members, was a 48-year-old fisherman who was arrested at about 10 am in Sungai Belat here on Tuesday.

According to Yahaya, the suspect, who had 15 criminal records related to drug offences, is believed to have been involved in drug distribution activities in Gambang here, and tested positive for methamphetamine.

He said police also seized 1,710 yaba pills, estimated to be worth RM31,650, as well as a fibre boat and Toyota Hilux vehicle, adding that the suspect has been remanded for seven days beginning Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Yahaya said in the three-day operation, police confiscated various types of drugs including heroin, syabu and ganja, with a total value estimated at RM55,518 whereas the total seizure of vehicles, jewellery and cash was valued at RM211,280.