Nine police officers have been arrested for allegedly distributing drugs at the Kota Tinggi police headquarters lock-up
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay explained to New Straits Times that the case was uncovered on 22 November after authorities found that a handful of detainees would test positive for drugs while in lock-up.
“Police conducted urine tests on 16 detainees from the Ulu Choh prison. Five tested positive for methamphetamine. Subsequently, we 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,” he said.
Police then conducted another round of urine tests on 129 detainees at the lock-up and found 22 of them tested positive for drug use.
After further investigation, nine officers comprising eight men and one woman aged between 20 and 36 were arrested.
However, the modus operandi revolved around another woman who is the daughter of one of the detainees.
According to Berita Harian, the officers arrested were of various ranks, from constable to corporal, and they were posted as guards at the lock-up.
Meanwhile, the head of the operation is a member of the public who is a 23-year-old daughter of a detainee known as ‘Datuk Ajim’.
She would bring drugs to the lock-up and then pass it to policemen for distribution.
Ayob Khan said, “This has been happening since early November. The police personnel were paid between RM50 and RM1,500 each time they smuggle in the drugs.”
Image via Bernama/New Straits Times
Two male officers, along with the 23-year-old woman, tested positive for methamphetamine.
It was also revealed that one of the officers has a previous record for gang robbery in 2012.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 39B, Section 39A(1), Section 6, and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, as reported by New Straits Times.
Ayob Khan also noted that a disciplinary investigation has been launched against the Kota Tinggi police chief, the district Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department chief, and the Kota Tinggi police station officer in charge.
He said, “They should be accountable for what is happening. How can the police chief let this happen right under his nose when the lock-up and the district police headquarters are located at the same place?”
If found guilty, these senior officers are liable to suspension and termination of their service.