Over 100 police officers tested positive for drugs in Ops Blue Devil, an operation that was conducted in all police contingents since 13th August. The aim of the operation was to improve integrity among all personnel, while also facilitating operations on drug traffickers, addicts, and drug-producing laboratories.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador said he was taken aback by the number, as it indicated that drug abuse in the police force is at critical levels.
Among the 100 drug users who were discovered in the operation, 86 of them tested positive for syabu, six for amphetamines and opiates, two for cannabis (ganja) and one for ketamine.
IGP Abdul Hamid said that thorough drug eradication will be undertaken in Malaysia and efforts to discover more drug users will continue. Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd has already received instructions not to stop the operation.
The police chief added that those involved in drug abuse were also suspected of extortion and bribery, noting that drug use was an expensive habit. As policemen do not earn high-paying salaries, it was to be expected that they would look for money by any means.
He also said that the policemen who tested positive will be facing punishment like regular members of the public, with no special treatment- which means undergoing police investigations and court action.
