1,381 bottles of liquor sold near schools seized
1,381 bottles of liquor sold near schools seized
JAKARTA (JP): Public order officials with police backup seized
a total of 1,381 bottles of liquor from shops and drink stalls
located near 162 schools here during a month-long operation in
March, an official said on Tuesday.
Toha Reno, head of public facility orderliness at the city
public order office, told The Jakarta Post that during the
operation, public order officials also confiscated three sharp
weapons and several grams of shabu-shabu, or crystal
methamphetamine.
According to Toha, the liquor, with a range of alcohol content
between 14.7 percent and 40 percent, was seized from shops and
stalls located some 100 meters away from schools.
The March 1 to March 31 operation was conducted at 196 schools
across Jakarta, comprising 137 private schools and 59 state
schools, including elementary, junior high and senior high
schools, he said.
Students at the schools have been involved in street brawls in
the capital, he said.
Toha said none of the vendors were detained.
"We just seized their merchandise," he said.
"According to the vendors, they only sell alcohol to boys who
looks over 21 years of age and who are not wearing school
uniforms. They claim to have never sold liquor to students from
the nearby schools," he said.
Toha said the operation was the first of its kind conducted
this year and was aimed at putting a stop to the escalating
number of student brawls in the capital.
Such raids used to be carried out every three months by public
order officials.
"We could not afford the raids last year due to a lack of
funds. The budget this year is also very small.
"However, the current situation is already getting out of
hand," he said.
This year alone, at least six students have been killed in
more than 50 street brawls around the capital, Toha said.
In March, the city saw 15 street brawls, leaving at least one
student dead, he said.
Thirty-four students suspected of provoking the March brawls
are required to regularly report to appointed police subprecincts
for evaluation of their behavior, Toha said.
The liquor seized in the March raids was taken from shops and
drink stalls on Jl. Kayu Putih in East Jakarta, Cengkareng in
West Jakarta, Jl. Sumur Batu in Central Jakarta and Tebet in
South Jakarta.
"I cannot give you the names of the stores because it would be
unethical," Toha said.
The 162 schools consisted of 33 private and 14 state schools
in East Jakarta, 27 private and 10 state schools in West Jakarta,
30 private and nine state schools in Central Jakarta and 24
private and 15 state schools in South Jakarta.
The seized liquor included wine, vodka, Asoka whisky and Topi
Miring. (ylt)