KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor police will deploy undercover narcotics officers at major concerts to curb drug sales and abuse.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that this operation is not new but it has not been publicly disclosed before.
He explained that the move follows the recent death of concertgoers at the Pinkfish concert in Bandar Sunway, Subang, late last month.
“We plan to carry out continuous monitoring, not just during concerts, as they are held occasionally. However, we will continue intelligence operations to curb drug sales and abuse.
“Previously, officers had already been deployed (at concerts), but it was not made public. The concert in Bandar Sunway gained public attention because it involved the death of attendees,” he said at a press conference at the Selangor Police Headquarters in Shah Alam today.
On December 31, media reported that four individuals, including two women aged between 20 and 40, died after allegedly consuming ecstasy following their attendance at the Pinkfish concert in Bandar Sunway.
On January 18, police confirmed that toxicology tests found drugs in the blood of seven victims, including the four who died after attending the Pinkfish Countdown 2024 concert in Bandar Sunway on New Year’s Eve.
Earlier, Hussein noted that all seven victims had attended the concert separately with their friends and family.
He also revealed that the suspected drug dealer sold the pills for RM50 each, typically in a package of three for RM100.
Meanwhile, commenting further, Hussein said the police are also reviewing the appropriate audience capacity for concerts based on venue size.
“This measure aims to prevent concert venues from exceeding their designated capacity.
“The proposal is among several measures intended to impose stricter conditions on future concerts in the state.
“We will meet with local authorities soon to finalise the requirements for upcoming concerts,” he said.
Commenting on the investigation into the Pinkfish concert, Hussein stated that two out of three suspects arrested for selling ecstasy were charged on 7 and 9 January.
“They were charged under Sections 12(2) and 15(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“The third suspect was released on police bail,” he said. – January 31, 2025