FEDERAL police in Bukit Aman are monitoring several officers in Kedah, Penang and Kelantan for allegedly working with drug syndicates operating near the Malaysia-Thai border, said a police director.

Federal Narcotics Investigation Department director Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd told The Malaysian Insight police have been working on this information which came through its hotline, launched at the end of July.

The narcotics hotline was launched as police ramp up their efforts to combat the drug menace which has been identified as “critical” by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, who admits the scourge has not spared his men.

Khalil said through the credible tip-off from the public, federal police in Bukit Aman have identified several “black sheep” in those states who are believed to be linked to drug syndicates.

“We received 181 complaints and most of them were genuine.

“There were tip-offs on drug laboratories, pushers and other information on drug-related activities.

“Based on the information, we have identified several locations in Kedah, Penang and Kelantan.

“We are now trying to weed out the black sheep working under various units in these states. We believe they have been feeding information to the syndicates,” said Khalil.

An investigation file will be opened on each complaint and a thorough investigation carried out, he said.

Police have also conducted several raids based on the information received and they have been fruitful.

“The cooperation we have received from the public has helped us a lot.

“Our hotline number 012-2087222 is on 24 hours a day. One can call us, send us a location of a suspected drug lab through WhatsApp.

“They should not worry as their details are kept secret,” Khalil said.

The operation to hunt down police officers involved with drug syndicates is in line with the IGP’s order to clean up the force.

Hamid said previously the drug trade in the country is at a worrying level as even policemen are also addicted to methamphetamine.

The Narcotics Department then launched Operation Blue Devil two weeks ago and since then has screened more than 4,200 rank-and-file personnel for drug abuse.

To date, 117 men have tested positive, including a superintendent. – August 28, 2019.