KUALA LUMPUR: All state police chiefs and district police chiefs have been directed to conduct regular inspections of their respective lock-ups following the discovery of drugs, mobile phones and weapons inside a cell at the Ipoh police headquarters.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the directive was issued after a surprise inspection by the Perak Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) uncovered various prohibited items inside a lock-up cell at the district police headquarters.
“We have always conducted investigations and operations, and I have instructed district police chiefs to carry out lock-up inspections from time to time. Overall, the situation remains good and under control.
“However, in one recent case, investigations found there had been a lapse when several prohibited items were discovered inside the lock-up,” he told reporters at Bukit Aman on Friday (May 15).
The inspection, carried out at about 10pm on Tuesday, uncovered dozens of packets containing heroin and methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia, tobacco, cigarettes, mobile phones, iron forks, razor blades, nail clippers, lighters and cash.
Mohd Khalid added that state police chiefs were also empowered to conduct inspections at lock-ups under their respective jurisdictions to ensure security and monitoring remained at the highest level.
He said immediate action had been taken, including directing JIPS to carry out further investigations, while the officers and personnel involved had been suspended.
He added that follow-up action was also being carried out together with the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and several other related departments to ensure such incidents do not recur.
“I have reminded all district police chiefs and state police chiefs to take firm and stern action on issues of this nature,” he said.
