A 30-year drug addiction kept hidden by an elderly couple was finally uncovered after the pair were detained by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) during an operation at their home in Jalan Gambang.
The couple, aged 67 and 59, were among 1,209 individuals who tested positive for drugs following a nationwide operation conducted simultaneously over three days, which ended on Thursday.
AADK Enforcement and Security Division director Mahadzir Elias said the elderly couple were unemployed, with their daily expenses supported by their five children aged between 24 and 31.
He said initial investigations found that the couple were classified as new cases as they had only been detected by AADK for the first time.
However, further checks revealed that the couple had actually been involved in drug and substance abuse for about three decades.
“After we investigated, we found that they had actually been involved in drug and substance abuse for around 30 years,” Mahadzir said during a press conference at the AADK Pahang office in Indera Mahkota.
He added that AADK would assist the couple through treatment and rehabilitation programmes to help them recover and reintegrate into the community.
Mahadzir said a total of 1,606 individuals were detained during the nationwide operation, with 1,209 people testing positive for drugs or substances. The figure involved 1,153 men and 56 women.
In Pahang alone, 254 individuals were detained, with 191 testing positive for drugs or substances. Among them, 131 were identified as new cases, involving 183 men and eight women.
He said methamphetamine, commonly known as syabu, remained the most widely abused drug in Pahang, with 145 individuals testing positive, followed by opiates involving 36 people.
Kuantan recorded the highest number of arrests in the state with 67 cases, followed by Rompin with 28 arrests.
AADK also focused on Felda areas during the operation, where 66 individuals from six districts tested positive for drugs.
The agency further highlighted concerns over drug abuse within the Orang Asli community after 12 individuals were detained during an operation at the Runchang Resettlement Scheme (RPS).
Mahadzir said RPS Runchang had previously been targeted twice, with the first operation resulting in the arrest of 30 individuals.
He added that AADK would continue strengthening community-based prevention programmes to address drug abuse issues among the Orang Asli community.
Mahadzir urged individuals struggling with drug or substance abuse to voluntarily seek treatment and rehabilitation assistance before facing legal action.
He said voluntary rehabilitation services provided a safer path for individuals to protect their future and employment opportunities while receiving proper support to return to normal life.
