THIS is not the first time that drugs kept in police custody have gone missing.

- In May 2006: More than 1,000 psychotropic pills, 7g of heroin and 400ml of cough mixture went missing at the Kota Baru district police headquarters.

The drugs, valued at more than RM40,000, had been seized in 12 operations in the district.

Also missing were investigation papers relating to the cases involving trafficking and possession, in which at least 10 suspects were implicated.

The loss was discovered by an inspection team from the state Narcotics Department during a visit to the station.

- In April 2005: Proceedings at a Shah Alam High Court came to a standstill when more than 60,000 psychotropic pills, said to be evidence in the trial, went missing.

The drugs worth almost RM1 million went missing from a vault at the Selangor Narcotics Department. Those present in the court watched in shock when each of the three boxes of pills turned up empty.