Bag trader busted with ganja

JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police detectives arrested a bag trader on Sunday for allegedly possessing 10 kilograms of marijuana in his rented house in Central Jakarta.

Central Jakarta Police detectives chief Maj. Budiono Sandi identified the suspect as Soritua Pangaribuan, 36, a resident of Jl. Irawan in Tanah Tinggi.

"Our detectives have learnt the map of marijuana distribution in Senen, Tanah Abang, Cawang, and Cilitan and the result finally led us to the suspect," the officer said.

Budiono alleged that during interrogation, Soritua insisted that the marijuana, which was neatly wrapped in newspaper, was his.

The marijuana, apparently from North Sumatra and with an estimated street value of Rp 180 million, has been confiscated as evidence.

Soritua, who worked as a bag trader in the busy Senen market, claimed the package actually belonged to a friend of his, Togu Siahaan, who was not at home when police raided Soritua's rented house, Budiono said.

"We let him (Soritua) say anything," he said. (emf)