Dutchman arrested for carrying ecstasy

Dutchman arrested for carrying ecstasy

DENPASAR, Bali: A Dutch national, identified as Kerkhop Arend, 36, was arrested on Thursday by police on the island resort of Bali for allegedly trafficking ecstasy, an officer said on Friday.

Kerkhop was arrested in Kuta, Bali, a popular hangout for surfers and backpack travelers, after he allegedly attempted to ditch a bag filled with 1,000 ecstasy pills.

He reportedly sped away on his motorcycle when he realized he was being tailed by police, and tossed a plastic bag in a ditch before he was caught.

During initial interrogations, Kerkhop denied the pills belonged to him. "It is suspected they came form the Netherlands," said Denpasar city police intelligence commissioner Budi Wasono.

Ecstasy, the so-called "rave drug," was first developed in the Netherlands. -- JP