Cash-strapped suspect arrested for selling narcotics to supplement income
MUKAH: Teachers aspire to educate, inspire and affect positive change, but one such educator here has given the noble profession a black eye.
Purportedly due to low pay, a 49-year-old primary schoolteacher chose the despicable way of peddling illicit drugs to supplement his income.
His wings were clipped when narcotics police officers arrested the 49-year-old man during an operation here around 11am last Sunday.
Mukah district police chief DSP Jimmy Panyau said the suspect, who teaches at a primary school in Selangau, was detained in front of a restaurant.
At the time of his arrest, he was in his car with his 38-year-old wife, two children aged 17 and nine, and a 42-year-old Indonesian.
“A bag, containing three packets of what is believed to be syabu and weighing 2.85g, was found in the suspect’s car,” said DSP Jimmy.
During interrogation, the suspect said he had been peddling illicit drugs since the beginning of the year in oil palm plantations in Selangau and Mukah – because he was financially strapped.
The suspect’s wife and the Indonesian man were also detained for further investigation while the two children were released.
“They are now detained at the Mukah police station lock-up for a period of four days,” said DSP Jimmy, adding that the trio tested negative for illegal drug use.
“If the suspect is found guilty, he is looking at a fine of up to RM100,000 or two to five years in prison, and will also be dismissed from his teaching job.”
The case is being investigated under Section 12 (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
