JOHOR BARU: A second death in police custody has occurred in the city this month, this time involving a 49-year-old foreigner who died within two hours of his arrest.
Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said police arrested the man at an apartment here at around 12.10am on Monday (Jan 23).
“The man is alleged to have in his possession 54.7g of ganja. The case is investigated under Section 39(A) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952," ACP Raub said here.
“However, while (being processed) at the Johor Baru South Narcotics Unit office at around 1.20am, the man complained of chest pains.
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“He was then brought to Hospital Sultanah Aminah in an ambulance to seek medical treatment immediately."
ACP Raub added that the man died while receiving treatment at 2.27am.
He said police then called up the children of the deceased, who confirmed that their father had an almost 20-year history of heart problems and high blood pressure.
“A post-mortem has been scheduled at the same hospital to find out the cause of death and for further action,” he added.
ACP Raub said the case had initially been classified as sudden death and Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standards Compliance Department would be investigating the matter.
On Jan 11, a 47-year-old man who was arrested in connection with a drug offence died while in custody at Larkin police station here.
He complained of pain and started vomiting at around 6.30am and was then brought to the Larkin health clinic at 7.45am but died at 8.30am.
