A woman in her 40s, who is also a stroke patient with partial paralysis in her left hand, admitted she was the one who introduced her older sister to drugs after both were detained during a major anti-drug operation in Bandar Armada Putra, Selangor, on Thursday.
The operation, carried out by the National Anti-Drugs Agency Selangor, targeted a cluster of dilapidated buildings believed to be a hotspot for drug abuse. Authorities revealed that such areas often become breeding grounds for addiction, reflecting broader social challenges linked to poverty and neglect.
The woman, the youngest of 10 siblings, confessed that she had been consuming methamphetamine, locally known as syabu, since her 20s and had persuaded her sister to try it several years ago. “My sister initially only took slimming pills, but I encouraged her to try drugs. Eventually, we both became addicted, and sometimes we used them together,” she said.
She also admitted to repeatedly attempting to quit but failing to overcome her addiction. Both sisters, who are in their 40s, were arrested in the same residential unit — the younger woman with her boyfriend, and her sister with her husband.
Her sister disclosed that they had previously been detained by the National Anti-Drugs Agency and claimed that drugs could be obtained cheaply, sometimes for as little as RM20 or even free when shared among friends. “I didn’t know at first that my sister was using drugs. I used to be overweight and wanted to slim down, so I tried it out of curiosity,” said the woman, who is from Telok Gong and already has two grandchildren.
The raid also uncovered the presence of young children, including infants, who had to be carried by their mothers during the arrests, highlighting the troubling impact of drug abuse on families. In one case, a divorced mother broke down in tears after being detained alongside several male occupants.
The woman, who works part-time with a delivery company, admitted her eight-year-old daughter was unaware of her drug use. “I usually hide in the room when I take it while my child plays outside,” she said while holding her daughter. She added that the drugs were typically supplied by her boyfriend at around RM50.
“I’ve only been using drugs for the past two to three months. I deeply regret it,” she said in a sombre tone.
The Op Perdana raid, which began at 4.30am, was conducted in collaboration with the Immigration Department of Malaysia and the National Registration Department. Authorities confirmed that 60 individuals tested positive for drug use following the operation.
