Death could await Kenyan in court on drug charges

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A Kenyan is facing the possibility of death row at the Medan District Court for reportedly attempting to smuggle 870 grams of heroin into the country from Malaysia last October.

Prosecutor Mardiana Sianturi told the court that the defendant, who was identified only as JK, 32, violated Law No. 22/1997 on narcotics and should be given the death sentence.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant was caught with 73 capsules, each containing 15.028 grams of heroin, through Polonia Airport, Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province, on Oct. 23, 2002.

"The tax and excise officers became suspicious after he spent more than 10 minutes in the airport bathroom. The defendant was interrogated and confessed that was bringing in the banned drugs from Malaysia. Fifty-nine capsules were found in his bag and another 14 were removed from his stomach," he said.

JK, a garment trader, said during the trial that he was unaware that the capsules contained heroin.

He said a Malaysian identified as Ahmad Dahlan promised to pay him US$10,000 to deliver the capsules to somebody in the city.

"Honestly, I didn't know about the heroin. I only learned about it when I was arrested at the airport," the defendant told the panel of judges, through local interpreter Anil.

JK, who was accompanied by his lawyer Neril Afdi, apologized to the panel of judges and promised not to repeat his offense if he was acquitted of the charge.

"I was trapped by Ahmad Dahlan to bring in the banned drug. I regret it very much. I will not repeat the offense. I beg the judges to release me from any penalty," he said.

The hearing, which was presided over by FH Sinaga, was adjourned until May 26, when the defense statement will be heard.