According to an article CNA, three former auxiliary police officers have found themselves entangled in a web of corruption and criminal breach of trust, all linked to intercourse enhancement drugs.
This incident came to light on Friday, November 3.
The accused officers include Malaysian Thiru Murugan Shanmugam, 66-year-old Singaporean Mohd Aris Jalil, and 30-year-old Singaporean Mohammad Hafizudin Hanapiah.
The Charges and the Accused
Of the three officers, two stand accused of seeking bribes from an alleged peddler in exchange for not taking enforcement action against him.
Thiru is alleged to have conspired with Hafizudin to obtain bribes of S$140 from the alleged peddler Chen Zixiong.
In exchange, they were to refrain from taking legal action against him for peddling intercourse enhancement drugs.
Thiru faces another charge of receiving S$750 in bribes from Chinese national Chen Dongliang for the same reason.
Hafizudin, apart from the bribery charges, is also accused of criminal breach of trust. He is said to have pocketed seized illegal intercourse enhancement drugs, with a value of S$106, for his personal use between June and September 2022.
These drugs had been entrusted to him in his capacity as a Certis Cisco security officer attached to the Singapore Police Force.
The third former officer, Aris, is accused of criminal breach of trust, where he is alleged to have misappropriated intercourse drugs worth S$188 on an occasion before September 13, 2022.
The Accused Officers’ Allegations
Hafizudin and Aris have stated their intention to plead guilty. However, Chen, who is accused of accepting bribes, expressed uncertainty and requested time to seek legal advice.
Legal Consequences
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau has reiterated Singapore’s zero-tolerance approach towards corruption.
If convicted of a corruption offense, the guilty parties could face imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.
For the criminal breach of trust, the penalty can be even more severe, with an offender potentially facing up to 15 years of imprisonment in addition to a fine.
Singapore’s Stance on Corruption
Singapore’s stringent stance on corruption is well-known. The country has a robust legal framework to combat corruption and is relentless in its pursuit of justice.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau plays a vital role in ensuring that all corruption complaints and reports are thoroughly investigated.
The charges against these former auxiliary police officers have shed light on the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity in law enforcement.
The legal process will determine the fate of the accused, but this incident serves as a stark reminder of Singapore’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law and fighting corruption.