Drug syndicate suspects arrested at airport

JAKARTA (JP): City police have arrested five people, including a husband and wife, believed to be members of a drug syndicate, an officer said on Thursday.

Jakarta Police detective chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said they were arrested separately thanks to a tip-off from customs and excise officials at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

He identified the suspects as Robert Lauha and his wife Elly, Chris Welly, Ronny Wijaya and E.S.

Alex was noncommittal on why only one of the suspects was identified by initials.

"We're still building the case," the officer said.

Alex said Chris was arrested late last month by customs and excise officials for allegedly possessing 10 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine), 32 ecstasy pills and eight sets of shabu-shabu inhalers.

Head of customs and excise Tonny Sunanta said Chris was subsequently detained by the city police for further questioning.

Tonny also revealed officials found rubber pipes, used for consuming the drugs, and cash totaling Rp 19 million (US$2,330) in Chris' bag. Police have confiscated the items.

"Chris was leaving for Yogyakarta when he was arrested," Tonny said.

Police detectives questioned Chris, who informed them about the whereabouts of suspected drug dealers.

"The latest arrest was made of E.S. on Tuesday at his house," Alex said.

All suspects, attired in dark blue prisoner outfits, were presented to journalists on Thursday.

Several minutes later, Robert and Elly were spotted by some of the reporters getting into a sedan, which left the city police detectives unit under the escort of a plainclothes officer.

When asked later, Alex responded the reporters must have mistaken them for a different couple. (emf)