Eight years in jail for trucking ganja

TANGERANG (JP): The Tangerang District Court sentenced Mustafa bin Muslim, 45, to eight years in prison on Tuesday for transporting 33 kilograms of marijuana by truck from Banda Aceh earlier this year.

Judge Tusany Japri said Mustafa was proven guilty of violating the 1997 Law on Narcotics which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Mustafa's sentence was two years less than the demand of prosecutor Gunadi.

"I didn't have any clue about what was loaded onto my truck," Mustafa earlier told the hearing.

"My friend Hasmy later threatened me and abandoned the vehicle when a group of police officers conducted a routine search near Tangerang toll road."

Mustafa said he would appeal. (41/edt)