Defence Lawyer Highlights Irregularities in 8.4kg Methamphetamine Case Seized by BNN Central Kalimantan

The investigation into the narcotics case involving 8.4 kilograms of methamphetamine seized by the Central Kalimantan Provincial BNN has entered its final stage. According to records from the Sampit District Court’s Case Information System (SIPP), the trial has reached the agenda for the reading of the duplique by the defence counsel.

The defendants facing various sentences include Nur Ulfa (case number 142/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) with a death penalty demand; Agus Sofi (case number 143/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) facing 20 years; Diwan (case number 144/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) facing the death penalty; Hengky (case number 158/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) facing life imprisonment; Reno (case number 159/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) facing 18 years; Ari Wibowo (case number 160/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) facing 20 years; and Rodi Franko (case number 161/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Spt) facing the death penalty.

The Public Prosecutor has sought the death penalty for three defendants, life imprisonment for one, 20 years for two, and 18 years for one.

Kariswan Pratama Jaya, the legal counsel for Ari Wibowo and Rodi Franko, confirmed these sentencing demands when approached for comment. However, he highlighted significant irregularities within the Public Prosecutor’s sentencing indictment.

“In my view, the Public Prosecutor is bold in demanding 20 years for the defendant Ari Wibowo and the death penalty for Rodi Franko because the Prosecutor merely ‘copy-pasted’ the statements of the prosecution witnesses and the defendants from the investigators’ interrogation reports (BAP),” he stated.

Kariswan explained that the incriminating witness testimonies and defendant statements included in the prosecution’s indictment were not based on evidence presented during the trial proceedings. He noted that under Article 236 paragraph (1) of the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), witness evidence must be presented directly during the court session.

Furthermore, Kariswan pointed out several other irregularities in the prosecution’s indictment. He noted that the testimony of prosecution witness Diwan during the trial claimed there had been a previous single shipment of 2 kilograms valued at IDR 420,000,000 per kilogram, which he claimed was received by Ari and Rodi, yet no evidence for this transaction was ever provided.