Meru: Police detained a local man on suspicion of drug trafficking and seized nearly 20 kg of drugs in Meru here on Tuesday. Perak acting police chief DCP Zulkafli Sariaat said the 42-year-old man, who works as a lorry attendant, was arrested in a car park around 11.20 am.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the suspect was apprehended while unloading items from the boot of a Perodua Bezza car and awaiting a buyer. Police confiscated 44 transparent plastic packages containing drugs suspected to be heroin, weighing 19.2 kg, from the back seat of the car. The estimated value of the drugs is RM220,000.

Zulkafli reported that the suspect has 13 criminal records, and a urine test indicated he was positive for morphine. Investigations revealed the drug trafficker has been operating since October last year, with the seized drugs intended for distribution around Perak, potentially supplying 40,000 drug addicts.

The suspect is remanded for six days until Jan 27 to assist in the investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Meanwhile, Zulkafli noted that the Perak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department seized various drugs weighing 259.6 kg, with an estimated worth of RM9.79 million, throughout last year. Additionally, 20,458 people were arrested for drug-related offences, and 598 individuals faced charges in court under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.