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