Ammar Zoni Sentenced to 9 Years' Imprisonment in Drug Trafficking Case

Jakarta — Celebrity Muhammad Ammar Akbar, known as Ammar Zoni, has been recommended by prosecutors for a nine-year prison sentence in connection with alleged drug trafficking at Salemba Detention Centre. The prosecution delivered its sentencing recommendations during a hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Ammar faces a fine of 500 million rupiah, with an alternative penalty of 140 days’ imprisonment if the fine remains unpaid.

“We request the panel of judges to declare the defendants guilty of conducting illegal drug trafficking activities without authorisation, offering Class I narcotics for sale or acting as intermediaries in such transactions,” stated prosecutor Yeni Rosalita from the Central Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office.

Five other defendants received sentencing recommendations in the same hearing: Asep Sarikin, Ardian Prasetyo, Andi Mualim (known as Ko Andi), Ade Candra, and Muhammad Rivaldi. Asep and Ade each face six years’ imprisonment, Ardian seven years, and Ko Andi and Rivaldi eight years each. All five defendants also face fines of 500 million rupiah, with the alternative of 140 days’ imprisonment per person.

All six defendants are charged under Article 114(2) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2024 concerning penalties.

The prosecution considered both aggravating and mitigating circumstances in formulating its recommendations. Aggravating factors included that the defendants’ actions alarmed the public, undermined youth development, and contradicted the government’s anti-narcotics programme. For Ardian, Ko Andi, Rivaldi, and Ade specifically, prosecutors noted that they failed to acknowledge their actions and provided evasive statements. Additionally, Asep, Ko Andi, Ade, Rivaldi, and Ammar’s prior criminal convictions were considered as aggravating factors.

Mitigating circumstances included the defendants’ respectful courtroom conduct. Asep and Ade received further leniency consideration as they admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and pledged not to reoffend.

The case centres on alleged conspiracies to illegally traffic Class I narcotics within Salemba Detention Centre in December 2024. On 31 December 2024, at approximately 14:00 local time, defendant Rivaldi allegedly obtained methamphetamine from Ammar through a direct meeting on the stairs of Block 1. Ammar claimed he had received 100 grams of methamphetamine from his brother Andre, who is currently a fugitive. The substance was subsequently divided equally between Rivaldi and Ammar, with each receiving 50 grams.

The defendants’ actions fall under Article 114(2) or Article 112(2) read with Article 132(1) of the Narcotics Law.