American nabbed for drug abuse

American nabbed for drug abuse

JAKARTA: An American identified as Gobel Laurent Alen, 38, was
arrested with three Indonesian acquaintances early on Thursday by
the city police for allegedly being in possession of 3.5 grams of
marijuana.

Drug squad chief Sr. Comr. Carlo Brix Tewu said on Friday that
the four were arrested while in the parking lot of the Mercure
Hotel in Ancol, North Jakarta.

"We are detaining them for further interrogation. We want to
know whether he is just a user or a drug dealer."

According to the police, Alen, who has an Indonesian wife and
has lived here for two years, is a former member of the U.S Army
and had served in the Gulf War in 1991.

The suspect, who currently lives in Pasar Minggu, South
Jakarta, could be charged under the Psychotropic Substances Law
(No. 59 of 1997), which carries a minimum punishment of six
months in prison. -- JP