Nine policemen in Kota Tinggi have been arrested for allegedly distributing drugs at the district police headquarters lock-up.
Photo via New Straits Times
According to the New Straits Times, Johor police chief, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that one of them even had a previous record for gang robbery in 2012.
Also arrested was a 23-year-old woman, who is the daughter of one of the detainees at the lock-up. “The case was uncovered on 22 November when police conducted urine tests on 16 detainees from the Ulu Choh prison. Five tested positive.”
Ayob added that the police held a check at the lock-up on 29 November and found 38.65g of syabu and 42.25g of heroin worth about RM6,000. Following that, the police then conducted urine tests on 129 detainees at the lock-up and found 22 of them tested positive for drug use.
Photo via Telegraph India
“After further investigation, we arrested nine police personnel comprising eight men and one woman aged between 20 and 36. All of them with various ranks from constable to corporal, were posted as guards at the lock-up,” he added.
Two of the police personnel and the woman who was the daughter of one of the lock-up detainees tested positive for drug use as well.
The modus operandi centered on the woman, who would bring the drugs to the lock-up. The drugs would then be passed to the policeman for distribution, “This has been happening since early November. The police personnel were paid between RM50 and RM1,500 each time they smuggle in drugs.”
The case is being investigated under Section 39B, Section 39A(1), Section 6, and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Ayob Khan also said that the state Integrity and Standard Compliance Department had opened a disciplinary investigation against the Kota Tinggi police chief, the district Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department chief, and the Kota Tinggi police station in charge.
If found guilty, these senior officers will face actions including suspension and termination of their service.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
