10-month jail for heroin users

JAKARTA (JP): A prosecutor asked the South Jakarta District Court Wednesday to sentence a musician and a private employee to 10 months in jail for consuming putaw, a low-grade heroin.

Prosecutor Syaiful Alim said Dimar Pratama, 25, and Poltak Parulian Simatupang, 24, were arrested in a rented house on Jl. Tebet Utara, South Jakarta, on Oct. 21.

Police seized 0.3 grams of heroin and equipment used for its consumption, he said.

Syaiful said police made the arrest a few hours after the two men bought seven packets of the drug for Rp 120,000 (US$24) from a heroin dealer, identified as Martin, who is still at large.

Under police questioning, the men claimed they had only inhaled the heroin once before they were arrested, he said.

The defendants asked the court for lighter sentences and promised not to consume the drug again.

Presiding judge Susilohardjo adjourned the trial until next week to decide sentencing. (jun)