Africans jailed for trafficking heroin

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced three foreigners to between six and 14 years in prison for trafficking and possessing a total of 6.6 kilograms of heroin in different sessions on Friday.

The three defendants were Colling Nyi Bongo from Malawi, 33, and Nigerians Emeka Simon Eloka, 34, and Christian Chukwu, 31.

Colling, a former Malawian policeman, was sentenced to 14 years in jail and was fined Rp 5 million for trafficking 3.7 kilograms of heroin.

Presiding judge Sujatno said the defendant had been found guilty of violating Article 82 of Law 22/1997 on narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of death.

"The defendant has damaged the Indonesian government's program to crack down on narcotics. His actions could have ruined the lives of youngsters here," he said.

He said the defendant was arrested at Hotel Menteng on Jl. Cikini on Nov. 6 last year, a day after his arrival from Bangkok.

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested the man in his hotel room and confiscated 3.7 kilograms of heroin.

Colling provided information during his interrogation which led police to Emeka and Christian, who were staying in a rented room on Jl. Kebon Kacang in Central Jakarta.

Emeka and Christian were caught a day after Colling's arrest. Police confiscated 2.9 kilograms of heroin from the two Nigerians.

Both prosecutor Zaenal Abidin and Colling are both still considering whether to appeal against the judge's decision.

Zaenal had asked the court to sentence Colling to death for the crime.

In a different session, the same court sentenced Emeka and Christian to nine years and six years in jail respectively. Emeka was also fined Rp 10 million for possessing 2.9 kilograms of heroin.

"Even though the defendant denies possessing the heroin, the panel of judges believes, based on the testimony of witnesses, that Emeka was the owner of the drugs," presiding judge Zulkifli Lubis said.

Emeka told the court that the heroin belonged to his friend, Pieter, who is still at large.

Christian was given a custodial sentence for being complicit in the storage of the drugs.

Prosecutor Timbul Pasaribu had earlier asked the court to sentence Emeka to 10 years in prison and Christian to eight years. (jun)