Graft buster nabbed over RM25mil evidence theft now under probe for drug trafficking

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer detained in connection with the alleged theft of RM25mil cash evidence is now being investigated for drug trafficking.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Razarudin Husain said the suspect was being held under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

"We believe he has been involved in drug trafficking for about a year.

"The suspect is being held under the Act for 60 days but we will not take that long to investigate.

"Once the investigation is completed, we will send the case file to the Home Ministry's Legal division for further action," he said when contacted on Wednesday (Oct 20).

He added that the suspect was initially detained for possessing Erimin 5 pills while his urine test came back positive following a report lodged by the MACC.

"We also detained two addicts, who were in possession of drugs. They are our witnesses," Comm Razarudin said.

The suspect was arrested by police for possessing drugs, a firearm and bullets on Sept 21. The drugs were reportedly discovered at his office.

He was one of the three MACC officers detained by graft busters in connection with the loss of case items involving US$6mil (RM25mil) recently.

The MACC released a statement last month saying three of its officers had been detained to assist investigations into allegations of abuse of power and misconduct in a case involving a “former senior government servant who had been discharged but not acquitted by the court”.

The commission said a thorough probe was under way.

The officers were being probed over the misappropriation of US$6mil seized from former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation chief Datuk Hasanah Ab Hamid.

In April, Hasanah was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the High Court for criminal breach of trust involving RM50.4mil of government funds.

The case was withdrawn following a new development.

The MACC statement came on the heels of reports that Hasanah had attempted to reclaim the seized money but found part of it missing and replaced with counterfeit notes.

The Attorney General's Chambers has reportedly received the investigation paper on the case involving the alleged theft of over RM25mil.

"The prosecution division will study the matter closely and determine if the case will be charged, or an order issued to investigate the case further," it said.