NINETY-TWO policemen have been arrested nationwide within a week of the launch of a special operation to weed out officers involved in drug activities, sources said.

Operation Blue Devil was launched by the federal police headquarters last Tuesday with the assistance of the state narcotics divisions and within six days, 92 policemen of various ranks were caught for drug abuse and possession.

The operation was targeted at policemen involved in drug abuse.

This came following the disclosure by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador that the drug problem in the country was at an alarming level and that even his own men were addicted to drugs, especially meth (syabu).

“What was shocking is that within six days of launching Ops Blue Devil, 92 officers and personnel were arrested nationwide.

“This operation is handled by the Bukit Aman Narcotics Department with the involvement of narcotics divisions in all contingents,” a source told The Malaysian Insight.

Another source said the net is also being cast wide to nab policemen working for drug syndicates.

“This operation targets our own personnel, those who are involved in drugs. They are the ‘blue devils’.

“Warnings were issued to all personnel before Ops Blue Devil was launched but obviously many did not take heed,” he said.

The source said three police personnel with the rank of lance corporal and corporal were the first to be arrested under this operation in the northeast district in Penang last Wednesday.

“The three tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

“In Selangor, a sergeant was arrested for the possession of 0.32g of syabu and equipment to use ganja in Shah Alam,” he said.

The operation is ongoing and a press conference is expected to be held soon.

Last month, Hamid said the drug menace has reached such an alarming level that Malaysia could soon follow the footsteps of Colombia. – August 20, 2019.