NSW: Detective refused permission to leave hearing
17 Feb 2009 3:10 PM
SYDNEY, Feb 17 AAP - A detective who admitted staging fake raids and extorting money has been refused permission to leave a NSW police corruption hearing due to his "state of ill health".
Senior Constable Nasser Battal and a second Liverpool-based detective, codenamed LP1, are before the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) for faking a number of raids on people transporting or selling illicit drugs and illegally imported tobacco.
On Tuesday, the second day of the hearing, Battal's lawyer Greg Walsh requested his client be excused from the hearing so he could be admitted to a hospital in Burwood.
"I've spoken to his treating psychologist," Mr Walsh said.
"He said he was complaining of pain to his chest and was sweating profusely."
Commissioner John Pritchard denied the request.
"Why don't we just bat on? If it becomes apparent the issue will have to be revisited, we will do that."
On Monday, the hearing was told both officers extorted tens of thousands of dollars from two tobacconists in Merrylands and another in Cabramatta, and sold the seized goods for their own profit.
On Tuesday, LP1 told the hearing the men were also involved with staged raids on vehicles carrying drugs in late 2008 on three separate occasions.
LP1 said the packages of white powder were passed on to a third party - a Mr Hizaji - who in turn paid the officers $5,000 on at least two of the three occasions.
Battal told the hearing he had no recollection of raiding the vehicles with the purpose of handing found packages to Mr Hizaji.
"I don't recall handing over anything to Mr Hizaji," he said.
"The only time I met up with him was for coffee or for dinner."
Counsel assisting the inquiry, David Staehli SC, asked Battal if it was possible for his memory to be refreshed.
"You're telling me you have evidence that might refresh my memory?" Battal asked.
The hearing is continuing.
