Ectasy suspect dies during police raid

JAKARTA (JP): A suspected trafficker of the banned drug Ecstasy, a mind-altering drug popular among teenagers, died during a police raid in South Jakarta yesterday.

Paulus Hendrawan, also known as Wawan, 24, a university student and the son of an army general, is believed to have taken an overdose of the drug.

National police spokesman Brig. Gen. I.K. Ratta said that Wawan was very ill when police stormed room No. 316 of the Kebayoran Inn hotel at about 12:15 a.m. He said Wawan was with a friend when police entered the room.

According to Ratta, the raid was conducted following a tip-off that a drug transaction was due to take place at the hotel.

"He was foaming at the mouth and was vomiting, while his body was stiff," said Ratta.

He said Wawan was the first person to die from Ecstasy use in Jakarta.

Wawan died on the way to the Kramat Jati police hospital in East Jakarta, Ratta said. "His friend had tried to save him, but failed."

The other suspect, identified only as "RPL", 25, a businessman, is being held for in-depth interrogation at the Narcotics Division Office of the National Police Crime Investigation Directorate.

Police said they found seven Ecstasy pills in the hotel room, as well as one gram of Ecstasy powder, several grams of cocaine in five small envelopes and Rp 1,256,000 (US$552) in cash.

Another Ecstasy pill was also found in Wawan's pocket.

Researchers say Ecstasy damages the brain cells that release the neurotransmitter serotonin, thought to be involved in the regulation of mood.

Over the past few months, police have declared war on drug dealers and users in the city.

Early this month, a suspected drug trafficker from Africa, believed to be a member of an international syndicate, went missing from a city police cell. (bsr)