15,000 bottles of booze seized

JAKARTA (JP): Some 15,000 bottles of liquor, some with alcohol content of 43 percent, were confiscated from two shops in the Tanah Abang area of Central Jakarta during a raid last weekend.

Head of Tanah Abang subdistrict Rustam Effendi said on Monday the raids would be continued on other establishments suspected of violating restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

"We have been informed that several soft drink shops along Jl. Jatibundar are illegally selling alcoholic drinks and also acting as drink suppliers to businesses at the nearby Bongkaran red- light area," Rustam said.

The shop owners were released after being warned not to repeat the office.

The alcohol was seized from the back areas of the Panda Mas and Istana Jamu shops on Jl. Jatibundar.

"If they continue, we will immediately seal off their shops," Rustam said.

Chief of Central Jakarta Police Lt. Col. Timur Pradopo said the liquor would soon be destroyed. (01)