Couple arrested with 'putauw'

JAKARTA (JP): Kampung Bali subdistrict head Siswanto made another successful move against drugs when he arrested a married couple on Saturday and confiscated five small packages of putauw (low-grade heroin) and Rp 190,000 (US$22).

"The couple and the evidence will be handed over to police," Siswanto said after the arrest which was made as a result of information received from locals.

The suspects were identified as Ahmad Sofyan and Zubaedah. Ahmad is a cleaning service officer at the University of Indonesia campus on Jl. Salemba, Central Jakarta, while his wife has home duties.

Siswanto has conducted at least seven raids in the Kampung Bali neighborhood in Central Jakarta and arrested more than 20 alleged drug users. The last raid was on Sept. 11 when local residents arrested alleged drug user Debora Lemardo, and an alleged dealer, Rizky.

Rizky was released last Monday by Tanah Abang Police, after police said they lacked evidence to prosecute the alleged dealer.

City authorities, including Governor Sutiyoso, said they regretted his release. (04)