THE drug menace in the country has reached an alarming level where Malaysia could soon follow the footsteps of Colombia, warned Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador.

He said that even his own men in blue were addicted to drugs, with weekly arrests made on policemen for being high on meth (syabu).

Speaking to the press at the Cheras Police Academy, the top cop said the police narcotics unit will be out hunting for drug labs and producers in the coming weeks in an effort to cripple the syndicates.

“For the past two months, the cops have been busting gambling syndicates, vice outlets and drug operators.

“The drug problem in this country has reached a breaking point. We can become like Colombia if we don’t put an effort to weed out this phenomena.

“Every week, we are arresting police officers. My own men are high on meth (syabu). That’s how serious the problem is. In the next few weeks, the narcotics unit will be going for the chemists, labs and drug syndicates in the country,” Hamid said.

Since January, police have detained at least 30 personnel who were abusing drugs while on duty.

Hamid had earlier told the press that he was disappointed that the force had to focus on the recent sex clips implicating a minister.

“We are working hard to combat crime but at the same time we are burdened with this unnecessary case. I thank the media today for not asking about the case. Let’s not waste time on it,” he added.

He was referring to a sex scandal implicating Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali, who had called it a conspiracy to end his political career.

Hamid earlier officiated the Autism Roadshow in the police academy.

The police are now equipped with special standard operating procedures when dealing with individuals with special needs.

“The cops have to follow this new SOP when dealing with neurodiversity persons. Not just autism, but those with cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome.

“It can be downloaded and there is no excuse for my men not to read it. It is compulsory. You will be disciplined of you fail to follow the SOP.

“I would like to affirm that I wish the incident that occurred last year involving an autistic individual will not happen again,” the top cop said.

Last year, police arrested an autistic man for allegedly molesting a woman.

Many had slammed the victim’s parents who lodged a police report even after the accused’s family members explained that he was autistic.

The police had also come under fire for arresting the man.

According to an English daily, police had applied for a remand order against the autistic man to facilitate investigation but the application was rejected by the Petaling Jaya court on September 12.

It was learnt that the man was celebrating his birthday with his family at a restaurant in Subang Jaya when he was alleged to have touched the chest of a woman. – July 29, 2019.