J

AKARTA: A former member of the Jakarta Police’s Sabhara rapid response unit was caught in possession of drugs during a major drug raid in Kampung Ambon, West Jakarta, on Thursday.

The ex-police officer, identified only as M, was one of 53 suspects caught during Thursday’s drug bust, and was allegedly involved in drug dealing, kompas.com reported.

Jakarta Police profession and security unit chief Sr. Comr. Agusli Rasyid confirmed that M had been a member of the Sabhara unit, but was fired over a disciplinary issue.

“He did not show up to work for 30 days and then was fired from his unit on Nov. 15,” he said on Friday. “Maybe he was too busy managing his drug business and neglected his duties as a police officer,” he added.

On Thursday, the Jakarta Police carried out a major drug sweep in Kampung Ambon, which is known as a drug haven in the city. In the operation, police officers arrested 53 suspects and seized four firearms, 1,000 bongs and 6,531 Ecstasy pills.

The police also seized 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 50 grams of heroin, 4 kilograms of marijuana, 600 happy five pills, 15 knives and Rp 218 million (US$24,198) in cash.