NSW: Police officers took tens of thousands in bribes: PIC
16 Feb 2009 11:07 AM
SYDNEY, Feb 16 AAP - Two Sydney police officers pocketed tens of thousand of dollars to keep quiet about illegal activities, a Police Integrity Commission (PIC) hearing in Sydney has heard.
The two officers, stationed in southwestern Sydney have been named as Senior Constable Nasser Battal and "LP1", who for reasons not yet detailed has had his identity suppressed by Commissioner John Pritchard.
Both were detectives at Liverpool Police Station.
In an opening submission, counsel assisting the commission, David Staehli SC, said the allegations related to a number of incidents in 2008.
"Two such instances involved the seizure by them of what was apparently drugs or precursors to the manufacture of drugs which were not dealt with according to police procedures but which were, it is alleged, provided to a civilian associate of Mr Battal," Mr Staehli told the commission in Sydney on Monday.
Furthermore, Mr Staehli outlined allegations relating to October 2008 when the officers seized illegally packaged tobacco from retailers.
"After such seizures it appears that the tobacconists in question were offered the opportunity to pay cash to Mr Battal and/or LP1 in order that authorities would take no further action," Mr Staehli said.
"In each case, it will be alleged that such payments, amounting to thousands of dollars, were made.
"In addition, it is alleged that the illegal tobacco which was seized was apparently sold and the proceeds shared with the two police officers."
LP1, who joined the NSW police Force in 2001, was the first witness scheduled to give evidence to the commission.
