Angolan tried on drug charges

TANGERANG (JP): A state prosecutor demanded on Tuesday that the Tangerang District Court sentence a 28-year-old Angolan to 15 years in jail for attempting to smuggling more than one kilogram of heroin in the country last January.

Prosecutor M. Adam also asked the court to fine Thomas Daniel Rp 5 million.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant tried to smuggle 1,125 grams of heroin in 64 capsules which he swallowed through the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The defendant arrived on Singapore Airlines flight number 164 from Bangkok.

"Customs officers arrested the defendant, who looked suspicious when entering the arrival gate at D terminal on Jan. 22," he said.

The Angolan, who sat without bending at the waist and with his legs stretched out straight in front of him, was taken to Sentra Medika Hospital for an X-ray.

"He admitted that the contraband belonged to a man named Ugo Chukwu who he met in Grease Hotel in Bangkok. The defendant was told to stay at Petamburan Hotel in Jakarta where he could meet the heroin owner. The defendant was told he would be given a U.S. visa and work permit," the prosecutor said.

"He has violated articles 1 and 2 of Paragraph 8 of Law No. 22/1997 on narcotics."

The trial was adjourned until next week to hear the defendant's rebuttal. (41/sur)