Bayu Marhaenjati – A subdistrict police chief in Bekasi has been arrested for using methamphetamine at his official residence.

Jakarta Police's Bureau of Professionalism and Security Affairs (Propam) arrested Heru Budhi Sutrisno, the head of Cibarusah Police, late last week.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the force had been surveilling Heru for some time, and detained him on Friday as he was taking the drug. Heru is being interrogated at the Jakarta Police Narcotics unit.

Police seized nearly 9 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from Heru's official residence. The police chief faces more than five years jail for violating anti-narcotics laws.

The case in Bekasi is the latest arrest of a law enforcement officer. Last month, Adj. Comr. A, the deputy director of the North Sumatra Police narcotics unit, was detained for drug dealing; he was arrested and dismissed from his position.

Civil society groups have long alleged that police officers use and sell illicit drugs.

In another case, a court in Bali last month sentenced Miftachul Huda, 33, an officer with the Bali Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob), to five years in prison for drug trafficking. He was caught in September with ecstasy and methamphetamine.

"As a police officer, the defendant should have been on the front line in fighting narcotics," Judge Hasoloan Sianturi said in his ruling. In his defense, Miftachul said he was forced to do it because his police pay was inadequate.