9 police officers in Johor arrested for distributing drugs at lock-up

JOHOR BARU — Nine police offcers in Kota Tinggi, in the Malaysian state of Johor, have been arrested for allegedly distributing drugs at the district police headquarters lock-up.

One of them even had a previous record for gang robbery in 2012.

Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that a 23-year-old woman — the daughter of one of the detainees at the lock-up — was also arrested.

"The case was uncovered on Nov 22 when police conducted urine tests on 16 detainees from the Ulu Choh prison. Five tested positive.

"Subsequently, we held a check at the lock-up on Nov 29 and found 38.65g of syabu and 42.25g of heroin worth about RM6,000 (S$1,980)," Mr Ayob Khan said.

He said the police then conducted urine tests on 129 detainees at the lock-up and found 22 of them tested positive for drug use.

"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 said two of the police personnel as well as the woman (daughter of one of the lock-up detainees) tested positive for drug use.

"One of the police personnel who tested positive also had a previous criminal record for gang robbery in 2012."

Mr Ayob Khan said the modus operandi centred on the woman, who would bring the drugs to the lock-up. The drugs would then be passed to the policemen for distribution.

"This has been happening since early November. The police personnel were paid between RM50 and RM1,500 each time they smuggle in the drugs," said Mr Ayob Khan.

The case was being investigated under Section 39B, Section 39A(1), Section 6 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Mr Ayob Khan also said 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 officer in charge.

"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?" said Mr Ayob Khan.

He said if found guilty, these senior officers face actions including suspension and termination of their service. NEW STRAITS TIMES