Escapee drowns in sewage pond

NORAZMI Azman was supposed to be sent to a drug rehabilitation centre in Tampoi, Johor.

The 23-year-old from Malacca, however, managed to escape from custody after jumping out of a police van on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Jalan Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur. He fled on foot.

Yesterday, his body was found inside an Indah Water Konsortium plant in Pantai Dalam by a worker who alerted police.

Earlier, the worker had discovered something blocking the plant's conduit, used to separate rubbish from sewage.

The worker was shocked to find the body, which was still clad in a lock-up T-shirt.

Brickfields police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulaiman Junaidi said the deceased was charged with a drug offense.

"Norazmi escaped from a police van while returning from Jalan Duta Court Complex at 4pm yesterday (Wednesday)," he said. The court had earlier ordered the deceased to be sent to Tampoi rehabilitation centre.

"After the court proceedings, he was handcuffed before being taken to the police van," he added.

However, Norazmi managed to free himself while on the way back to Hang Tuah lock-up. He pushed aside a policeman in the van before jumping out.

Sulaiman said the incident happened close to the court complex and a massive search failed to locate him.

Sulaiman said Norazmi was believed to have slipped and drowned in a sewage pond several hours after escaping.

Initial investigations showed no signs of struggle or injuries on the victim's body. Police are waiting for a post-mortem report on the cause of death.

"We do not suspect foul play, but a probe is underway. We will record statements from the policemen who escorted him on Wednesday," he added.

Source: Malay Mail newspaper