Airport cops take urine tests after drug bust

Multa Fidrus and Indah Setiawati ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Tangerang, Jakarta   |  Tue, 07/15/2008 10:36 AM  |  City

Urine tests have been ordered for all 383 officers stationed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport following the weekend arrest of three airport officers for the alleged possession of narcotics.

"All officers at the airport are required to submit to a urine test, without exception, including myself," airport police chief Sr. Comr. Guntur Setyanto said Monday.

He said the tests were being administered at Jakarta Police Headquarters beginning Monday morning.

Three airport police officers, identified only by the initials W, IR and D, were arrested by West Jakarta Police over the weekend for the alleged possession and use of crystal methamphetamine.

Authorities believe the three officers stole the crystal methamphetamine from drug shipments intercepted by the airport's customs and excise office.

"Long before the arrests were made, I had already ordered internal affairs to look at all the officers. I suspected that some officers were using the drug evidence," Guntur said.

He said he would wait for the West Jakarta Police to complete their investigation before deciding what action to take against the three officers.

"If the officers are found guilty, I will take stern measures. These measures will be imposed on the officers based on the decisions made at a hearing of the police's ethics board," he said.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Firman said Monday that any officers found guilty of possessing or using drugs would be fired and brought up on criminal charges.

"This is in line with police regulations. The possession and use of drugs is strictly prohibited for police," he said.

Three months ago, the National Police arrested the head of the North Bogor Police sub-precinct, Adj. Comr. Endang Rudianes, and two civilians as they used crystal methamphetamine, or shabu-shabu, in the officer's office.

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