Drug dealer jailed for life

Drug dealer jailed for life

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

The Tangerang District Court sentenced on Wednesday a man to life
imprisonment for possessing 60 kilograms of marijuana in
Kademangan village, Mauk district, Tangerang.

Presiding judge Warsito said the defendant, Muksin alias Abu
bin Acin, 30, a resident of Kademangan village, was proven guilty
of possessing the euphoria-producing cannabis leaves and
therefore deserved harsh punishment.

Warsito claimed the defendant's action could ruin the
country's future generation as a supporting factor for the
verdict.

The mitigating factors for the verdict -- death sentences are
common in big drug cases -- included the defendant's honesty
during the sessions and his remorse for what he had done.

The sentence was equal to what prosecutor DJ. S. Simamora had
demanded last week. The defendant, who had waived his right to a
defense lawyer, stated that he would appeal to a higher court.

Earlier, prosecutor Simamora charged the defendant with
violating Article 82 of law No. 22/1997 on drugs. The Article
carries a maximum punishment of death.

The defendant was nabbed at his house in Kademangan village by
the police on Nov. 9, 2001 following a tip from his neighbors,
who said that the defendant had frequently made drug transactions
at his house.

After raiding the house and arresting him, the police found 59
packets of marijuana hidden in 13 computer CPU boxes.

The defendant testified that he received the marijuana from a
man named Wahyu, who is still at large. He said Wahyu ordered him
to take the marijuana from a house and wrap it into small packets
and then sell them at Rp 20,000 each.