Following the arrest of several police and military officers for the possession of drugs and having links with individuals who engage in drug trafficking, the Department of Police said that strict action will be taken against such officers despite their rank or status if the respective allegations are proven.

Recently, two police officers, including a Sub-Inspector and a Sergeant were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department for allegedly maintaining dealings with drug traffickers. Meanwhile, the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court on 19 April issued a detention order on four suspects, including the two Naval officers arrested while in possession of crystal methamphetamine (‘Ice’).

Subsequently, when contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (23), the Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-Crime Range), attorney Nihal Thalduwa stated that the law enforcement authorities, including the military forces, are currently taking actions against their officers who are accused of possessing drugs and having links with drug traffickers and organised criminals, which is not a new operation for these institutions. DIG Thalduwa also noted that such mechanisms have been strengthened in parallel with the ongoing ‘yukthiya (justice)’ operations, yet the actions should be taken very carefully and according to the existing framework. He further said that the Police is obtaining the assistance of the intelligence services to find out the information received by the Department first, and that those individuals will be arrested on the very first occasion where the information is verified. He said that the Police cannot arrest and suspend such officers at once since there are special systems and procedures to be followed. Claiming that the Police has been taking action against such officers since the very beginning, he said that no special operation is required to be launched to track such individuals.

Several attempts made to contact the Spokesperson of the Navy proved futile.