Autopsy reveals 64 heroin capsules

JAKARTA (JP): Soekanto Police Hospital doctors performed an autopsy on Thursday on a Liberian national who allegedly died of a drug overdose and found 64 heroin-filled capsules, an officer said.

Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the heroin capsules, which weighed 875 grams and were estimated to have a street value of more than Rp 175 million (US$21.875), had been confiscated by police.

The victim, Meoth Swa, 30, was found by friends in a comatose state in his room at Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, on Monday. He was immediately rushed to the privately run Husada Hospital.

Lubis said Meoth was possibly killed by a drug overdose, after one of the heroin capsules in his stomach cracked open.

"Police detectives were waiting to see if Meoth would survive, after an X-Ray examination showed black dots in his digestive organs," Lubis said.

Heroin also tested positive in Meoth's urine, he said.

The victim's friends -- Indonesians and foreigners suspected of being members of an international drug syndicate -- were reportedly still at large.

Earlier on Monday, a 37-year-old Swazi national, identified as Chinedu Donsin Ochia, was found dead at the Andalus Hotel in Central Jakarta. He was believed to have also been killed by the accidental splitting of one of the heroin-filled capsules in his digestive system.

Forensic experts found 53 heroin-filled capsules inside Chinedu's stomach. (emf)