KUALA LUMPUR – A man arrested on suspicion of drug possession died less than two hours after he was taken into custody by police yesterday evening.
The 39-year-old, who was on the police’s wanted list for a previous drug consumption related offence, died while receiving treatment at Selayang Hospital around 6.30pm on Valentine’s Day after complaining of breathing difficulties just an hour prior.
In a statement, Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department director Datuk Azri Ahmad said the deceased was arrested around 4.45pm by investigators from Gombak district police before he was brought to the headquarters.
“On February 14, 2022, at 5.30pm, a man, aged 39, was arrested for investigations under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and has one record where he is wanted for a case under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“On February 14, 2022, at 5.30pm, the detainee complained of breathing difficulties. The hospital was then alerted, informing them that the detainee would be brought to the Selayang Hospital in Selangor.
On February 14, 2022, at 6.30pm, the detainee was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at the Selayang Hospital in Selangor, with the cause of death not yet established,” Azri wrote.
He said investigations by Bukit Aman’s standard compliance department and Criminal Investigations and Deaths in Custody Unit are ongoing.
Earlier this month, Azri reported another death in custody in Klang involving a 35-year-old man who was also taken in on suspicion of drug possession and died just two days into his remand. – The Vibes, February 15, 2022
