Businessman to face drug trial

JAKARTA (JP): Hendro Sumampouw, a noted businessman in the city's entertainment circle, will soon be on trial for allegedly possessing marijuana and Ecstasy pills, police said.

"We have just handed over the dossiers of his case to the North Jakarta prosecutor's office," City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna told reporters yesterday.

Hendro, 38, an executive of a discotheque at the Hailai International Executive Club, was arrested along with six others during a routine raid on July 23. The arrest took place in front of the discotheque at Ancol Dreamland Park.

Two-and-a-half marijuana cigarettes and seven-and-a-half Ecstasy pills were seized from Hendro, the brother of businessman and operator of overseas casinos, Robby Sumampouw.

Police said they found 18 more marijuana cigarettes, 70 Ecstasy pills and a syringe from the other suspects.

If found guilty, Hendro faces a maximum of six years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp 10 million (US$4,255). (bsr)