Dangerous drink

Dangerous drink

From Republika

I am a student of a prestigious university in Indonesia. Before election day I traveled to Purbalingga -- my home town -- to vote. I had to make a special effort to get a seat on the Anggrek Cempaka bus at the crowded Pulogadung terminal at 7:30 p.m. Two women, who were to get off at Cirebon, were seated on my left. One of them, who said she worked at a textile factory in the Podomoro area, had a child.

After talking for a few minutes she offered me a boxed drink called "Esco". At first I refused her offer, but under the pretext that it was a sin to refuse somebody's kindness, she made me accept it and insisted that I should drink it. Not more than 10 minutes later, I fell unconscious until the bus reached its destination, Purwokerto. When I regained consciousness I found myself lying on a wooden bed at the bus company's quarters.

The following day at about 5:00 p.m., a member of the bus crew took me to Purbalingga, although I was still drowsy. I remember meeting an old friend of mine, and he said my relatives would come and fetch me. When I woke up the following morning, I still felt dizzy. What was obvious in this incidence was that my jacket, handbag, shoes and wallet had gone. So I had lost everything but the clothes I was wearing. My doctor told me I was under the influence of drugs.

I would like to thank Anggrek Cempaka's crew and those who helped me. Folks, beware of the new modus operandi used by unsuspected criminals.

AGUS

Bogor, West Java