Drug suspect dies in custody
KOTA BHARU - A 37-year old suspect who was detained over a drug-related offence was found dead inside the lock-up of the Kota Baru District police headquarters (IPD), here, yesterday (Sunday).
The man had died at about 5pm.
Kota Bharu acting district police chief Superintendent Mohd Said Ibrahim said the man was initially found to be unconscious inside his cell during a routine check by the police.
"At first they thought that the suspect was asleep, but when they tried to wake him up, he did not respond.
"The police then called the medical officer from the Pengkalan Chepa health clinic and the medical officer confirmed the suspect's death at 5pm," he said when contacted by Sinar Harian, today.
Mohd Said said the suspect was arrested last Saturday to assist investigations into drug possession under Sections 12 (2) and 15 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He said the suspect who had died during his remand period at the Kota Bharu IPD lock-up, had been tested positive for methamphatamine.
He added that the case has been classified as sudden death.
"The forensics unit had examined the body at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II), here, and the post mortem will be conducted today (Monday)," he said adding that investigations are still ongoing.
