Drug trader shot for resisting arrest

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot on Sunday a bird trader who allegedly also sold drugs in North Jakarta, after resisting arrest, a senior officer said.

The suspect, suffering a leg injury, was identified as Sugiyanto, a resident of Sungai Bambu in Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, said the officer of a local police sub-precinct, who asked not to be named.

"He was shot in his right leg and got medical treatment at nearby Koja Hospital," the officer said. Sugiyanto was reportedly shot as he tried to flee from police.

After Sugiyanto's arrest, police also apprehended seven other people, believed to be the suspect's accomplices.

"The seven are believed to specialize in selling marijuana in discotheques and other entertainment spots," he said.

Police confiscated two packages from Sugiyanto, containing four kilograms of marijuana with an estimated street value of more than Rp 20 million (US$2,352).

Police said Sugiyanto admitted to starting the illegal business early this year after his bird trade drastically declined. He was detained at Tanjung Priok police station for further investigation.

Police said Sugiyanto's arrest was made after a tip-off from local residents who were suspicious of his business activities.

"We then sent our detectives to check Sugiyanto's strange business," he said, adding that the police then learned that Sugiyanto's house was used to store shipments of marijuana from Sumatra.

After the police raid on the house, "when we discovered the packages contained marijuana, Sugiyanto tried to run away," the officer said.

He said police shot Sugiyanto when he ignored their warning shots. (emf)