Liberian jailed for 15 years for heroin deal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A court sentenced on Wednesday a Liberian to 15
\nyears in jail for involvement in a heroin transaction.<\/p>\n
Presiding judge I Gde Sumitra also ordered the defendant,
\nChristian Chinnedu Ejionye, to pay a Rp 5 million (US$714) fine.<\/p>\n
\"The defendant is guilty of dealing in drugs, which violates
\nArticle 82 of the 1997 law on narcotics,\" the judge said in a
\nhearing at the Central Jakarta District Court.<\/p>\n
The sentence and fine were heavier than those demanded by
\nprosecutor Fachruddin.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor had demanded that the court sentence Ejionye to
\n11 years in jail and fine him Rp 3 million.<\/p>\n
Judge Sumitra said police detectives arrested the 49-year-old
\nLiberian when he attempted to purchase 100 grams of heroin from a
\nman, identified as Joey, at Hotel Hannover in Central Jakarta on
\nApril 26. Joey is still at large.<\/p>\n
\"The defendant violated the law by failing to show the police
\nan official license to keep and trade heroin,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The judge said police detectives searched the defendant's
\nrented home in Cilandak Timur, South Jakarta, three days after
\nhis arrest and found 250 grams of heroin in three plastic
\npackages hidden in milk cartons.<\/p>\n
Sumitra explained that he was compelled to hand down a heavier
\nsentence despite Ejionye's confession and his apparent regret for
\nhis wrongdoings.<\/p>\n
\"His move could harm the health of other people. It could also
\nendanger the future of our youths,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The defendant, who was accompanied by his translator Herman,
\nremained silent, though his eyes glistened with tears, when the
\njudge announced the verdict.<\/p>\n
Appeal<\/p>\n
He was unable to talk for a few minutes when the judge asked
\nhim whether he would file an appeal with the Jakarta High Court.<\/p>\n
\"You can file an appeal soon to the high court, if you
\nconsider the verdict too heavy,\" said an impatient Sumitra.<\/p>\n
The defendant stood up and walked out of the courtroom
\nescorted by his translator. His eyes appeared vacant and he
\nremained silent.<\/p>\n
Ejionye's lawyer, Robert Manurung, said he was not satisfied
\nwith the verdict.<\/p>\n
\"My client should be sentenced for possession instead of for
\ndealing in drugs.<\/p>\n
\"The court failed to prove that he was dealing in drugs, as no
\nwitnesses or evidence were provided in the hearings to prove that
\nhe was dealing in drugs when captured,\" said Robert after the
\nhearing.<\/p>\n
The only evidence was the 350 grams of heroin in his
\npossession, he added.<\/p>\n
The stiff sentence comes following mounting public demand that
\nthe courts sentence drug offenders with maximum sentences.<\/p>\n
People stepped up pressure on the courts, police and
\ngovernment officials recently amid the rampant trading and taking
\nof drugs within society.<\/p>\n
The head of the Central Jakarta District Court, Sihol
\nSitompul, promised activists of the People's Antidrug Movement
\n(Geram) in a recent meeting that he would urge judges under his
\nsupervision to impose heavy sentences on drug offenders.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid has also voiced his commitment to
\nthe war on drugs.<\/p>\n
The President vowed on Monday that the government would
\nprepare an antidrug bill, which would impose stricter sentences,
\nthe minimum of which would be 12 to 20 years in jail. (asa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/liberian-jailed-for-15-years-for-heroin-deal-1447893297",
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