Actor Khaireyll Benjamin Ibrahim or Benjy was re-arrested and detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 because he was identified in drug processing and trafficking activities in Kepong, the High Court heard today.

Senior federal counsel Najib Zakaria said it was necessary in the interest of public order to re-arrest him to gather other persons involved with him in drug activities.

"There was no affidavit evidence by the applicant to show that the police investigation was not genuinely pursued. At most, the applicant's contention is his misperception of the genuine effort by the police force to curb drug related activities," he said in reply to the submission by Benjy's lawyer, Amer Hamzah Arshad yesterday.

NONE Yesterday Amer Hamzah submitted that Benjy's re-arrest and detention were done to salvage the image of the police who were unable to charge him with drug trafficking.

Najib is submitting before Justice Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak in Benjy's application for a writ of habeas corpus seeking his immediate release.

Benjy ( right ), the only son of veteran actress Azean Irdawaty ( left ), pleaded not guilty to possessing 0.24gm of methamphetamine in a house at A-6-5 Menara Duta 2, Jalan 1/38B, off Jalan Segambut here at 4pm on March 11.

Immediately after posting bail, he was re-arrested for alleged involvement in drug trafficking. In his application filed on April 8,

Benjy named the inspector-general of police, home minister and the government as respondents, and also sought an order that he would not be re-arrested after his release.

Replying to points raised by Amer Hamzah, Najib, who represented the respondents, said the police were entitled to hold a new conference to provide accurate disclosure of information which did not affect national security.

Besides, Benjy had failed to reveal in his application any motive or reason for the police to act mala fide against him, he said.

Najib also said that arresting officer Insp Nur Hazurah Ab Talib had informed Benjy the grounds of his re-arrest and he had signed a form.

"The applicant (Benjy) was well informed of the grounds of such subsequent arrest and he knew that the grounds were drug-related," he said.

The hearing continues tomorrow

- Bernama