A welfare visit intended to assist an asnaf recipient led to the discovery of an oil palm plantation area in Jalan Perepat, Telok Panglima Garang, Kuala Langat, which was suspected of being linked to drug activities.
The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) said its Saidina Umar Squad (SSU) received information from the Baitul Salam Convert Protection Centre regarding a female convert who was believed to be living in extremely poor conditions with several unidentified individuals.
Following photographic evidence and information received, the zakat team managed to locate the living area inside an oil palm plantation.
LZS said an operation was carried out after Isyak prayers with assistance from the Kuala Langat District Distribution Operation team, mosque representatives and village representatives to check on the welfare of the individuals and identify their actual situation.
Initial findings showed that the group was living in tents without access to water and electricity.
However, upon the team’s arrival at the location, all the occupants fled and hid in the dark areas of the oil palm plantation.
The operation team spent more than 30 minutes attempting to persuade them to cooperate before conducting an inspection of the area.
During the inspection, several prohibited items were discovered inside the tents. As the matter was outside LZS’ authority as a welfare assistance agency, the team lodged a police report and handed the case over to the authorities.
Police narcotics officers later arrived at the location and launched an investigation under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Kuala Langat District Police Chief Superintendent Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi said the raid was carried out on July 9 and resulted in the arrest of four individuals, comprising two men and two women aged between 30 and 50.
He said one of the individuals receiving zakat assistance was a woman in her 30s from Pulau Carey, while the four arrested were believed to be related as husband, wife, child and son-in-law.
All four suspects were charged on July 10 at the Telok Datok Magistrate’s Court under Section 12(3) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act.
