A civil servant was among seven people who were detained after testing positive for methamphetamine in a special motorcycle operation mounted in conjunction with Aidilfitri in Jalan Greentown near Bangunan Persekutuan in Ipoh last night.

Perak National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) assistant director (Enforcement) Azman Hashim said the individuals, all male aged between 16 and 29 would be investigated under Section 3(1) of the Drug Dependents Act (Treatment and Rehabilitation) 1983.

He said the rate of road accidents increases every month not just because of technical problems with the vehicles but motorists driving under the influence of drugs.

“Drug abuse while driving is not only dangerous but a risk to one’s life as well as those of other road users,” he told a press conference after the operation.

The two-hour operation which began at 9pm involved 84 personnel and officers from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Royal Malaysia Police, AADK, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Immigration Department and Road Safety Department (JKJR).

Meanwhile, Perak JPJ director Mohd Zawawi Zakaria said the department inspected 1,081 motorcycles and issued 639 notices and summonses during the special motorcycle operation carried out for two days from yesterday.

"Three hundred and fifty motorcyclists were taken action against for 482 offences under the Road Transport Act 1987 such as driving without a licence; expired road tax; and wearing helmet that did not follow specification,” he said.

He said two teenage motorcyclists were also detained for riding without a licence.

“One of them said his father allowed him to ride the motorcycle. We also issued a summons to the father who owned the motorcycle,” he said.

- Bernama