Ex-convict held for drugs

Ex-convict held for drugs

JAKARTA (JP): After being released from the Cipinang jail five
months ago, Rodiaman Rachman who had spent nearly two years in
jail for the kidnapping of Indonesian tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim,
found himself in detention again after he was arrested on
Saturday for drug possession.

Tambora, West Jakarta Police subprecinct chief Asst. Supt.
Merdisyam confirmed that the brother of movie star Yenni Rachman
had been arrested for the possession of 40 grams of shabu-shabu
(crystal methamphetamine).

"He was waiting to make a transaction at a hotel parking lot
on Jl. Bandengan Selatan, West Jakarta, on Saturday morning
around 8 a.m. We found four packages of shabu-shabu on the back
seat of his sedan," Merdisyam said.

The suspect was in a yellow Timor sedan when arrested.

Rodiaman was sentenced to three and a half years in jail in
1998 for kidnapping Sjamsul Nursalim, the owner of Bank Dagang
Negara Indonesia and chairman of Gajah Tunggal business group.

In the kidnapping on Sept. 2, 1997, Rodiaman who was working
with six accomplices, kept Sjamsul hostage for three days.

Merdisyam said Rodiaman was released from the Cipinang
penitentiary, East Jakarta, five months ago.

When arrested on Saturday Rodiaman initially denied that the
drugs were his.

"But after his lawyer came, he admitted that the drugs
belonged to him. He claimed that he got the drugs from his friend
in prison five months ago just as he was about to be released
from jail," Merdisyam said.

Rodiaman could be charged of violating Article 62 of Law
No.5/1997 on psychotropic substances which carries a maximum
sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp 100
million (US$11,111). (dja)