BRAVO PDRM..!Seized syabu worth RM1m missing from Johor police HQ | Two other occasions when drugs disappeared

JOHOR BARU: Some RM1 million worth of syabu, believed to be from the biggest drug bust of the year, has been reported missing from the state police headquarters.

Although police did not want to comment, the loss of the 5kg of drugs has now placed the case against 12 suspected members of an international drug syndicate in jeopardy.

The drugs were part of the RM48 million worth of narcotics seized. Police also seized RM1.1 million from the syndicate.

The drugs were discovered missing on Thursday and investigations have begun following a report lodged by a police officer from the state police headquarters at the Johor Baru (South) police headquarters.

It is learnt that the thieves, alleged to be policemen, had used acid to melt the padlock to the evidence room where the drugs were kept.

It is understood that more than 60 policemen who were on duty at the police headquarters at the time, were made to take urine tests following the report. However, it is not known what the results of the tests were.

Sources, however, said a police officer was detained on Saturday after failing a urine test.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar and Federal Narcotics Department director Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharuddin said they were "aware of the case" but declined to comment.

Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff could not be reached for comment.
In the drug bust in March, police raided three premises here. The raids uncovered two makeshift laboratories that processed he-roin, Eramin 5, Ecstasy and ketamine for export.

It was reported that 12 suspects were arrested, including a 70-year-old man, believed to be a financier for the syndicate, three Singaporeans and a Thai woman.

Two of the three Singaporeans were said to be hardcore addicts and big-time pushers.

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Two other occasions when drugs disappeared

THIS is not the first time that drugs kept in police custody have gone missing.

- In May 2006: More than 1,000 psychotropic pills, 7g of heroin and 400ml of cough mixture went missing at the Kota Baru district police headquarters.

The drugs, valued at more than RM40,000, had been seized in 12 operations in the district.

Also missing were investigation papers relating to the cases involving trafficking and possession, in which at least 10 suspects were implicated.

The loss was discovered by an inspection team from the state Narcotics Department during a visit to the station.

- In April 2005: Proceedings at a Shah Alam High Court came to a standstill when more than 60,000 psychotropic pills, said to be evidence in the trial, went missing.

The drugs worth almost RM1 million went missing from a vault at the Selangor Narcotics Department. Those present in the court watched in shock when each of the three boxes of pills turned up empty.

-TMB