An official with a municipal religious affairs agency has been arrested for possession of methamphetamine, police in East Kalimantan revealed on Wednesday, Jakarta Globe reported news.
Adj. Comr. Kifli S. Supu, chief of West Balikpapan Police, told the Jakarta Globe that the official, identified only as R.U., 38, was arrested during a sting operation on Monday night. Officers found 0.3 grams of meth in his wallet.
He initially claimed that he had bought the drug to “study the ills of drug use in society,” but later recanted that statement. A urine test showed up positive for meth use.
“We’re still investigating the matter, including trying to find who he obtained the drugs from,” Kifli said, adding that police were also trying to determine whether R.U. was just a user or involved in drug dealing.
Saifi, the head of the Balikpapan Religious Affairs Office, confirmed the arrest and identified R.U. as a 12-year veteran of the office. Among R.U.’s responsibilities was to serve as an Islamic counselor to drug convicts.
“All of us in the office are thunderstruck by this development, especially upon hearing that he had tested positive for drug use,” Saifi said.
“The Religious Affairs Office is held to a higher standard than other government offices, so this is particularly hard on us.”
He added that there had been indications of possible substance abuse in the past six months, when other officials had noticed a “drop in discipline” from R.U.
Saifi said that in addition to the criminal charges for drug possession, R.U. would also face a disciplinary hearing that could see him lose his status as a civil servant and all the attendant benefits.