Famous actress busted in drug raid on nightclub

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While many celebrities in the capital are actively campaigning against drugs, others are still very much part of the problem.

Several famous figures from the TV, music and movie industries were caught up in a raid at the Dragon Fly nightclub on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta early on Thursday by officers from the Jakarta Police and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

Although police found no drugs in their possession, the actors and singers were required to take urine tests along with other guests.

City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said Chandra Arianti Dewi, also known as Ria Irawan, was the only celebrity to be named a drug suspect after her urine tested positive for drugs.

"Our officers found Ria Irawan's urine contained drugs, so we named her a suspect. We let her go but we will require her to report four times a week," he said.

Several other visitors to the Dragon Fly also tested positive for drugs. They were all released on Thursday morning but will be required to report to the police four times a week.

Under Article 59 of Law No. 5/1997 on narcotics, drug use is punishable by up to four years in jail.

Police and BNN officials also raided the Retro Discotheque at the Crowne Hotel on Jl. Gatot Subroto, and ordered visitors to take urine tests. Two people tested positive for drugs in this raid.

Ria has won several awards for her movie roles. However, this is not the first time she has been linked to drugs.

In 1993, a man identified as Aldi, also known as Rivaldi Soekarno, was found dead in Ria's house of a drug overdose. Nobody was ever named a suspect and the case disappeared after several weeks of publicity.

Some well-known actresses and singers have joined antidrug campaigns in the country. They include Ari Wibowo and members of the band Slank. However, other celebrities have been arrested for using drugs, including Sudarmadji, who is also known as Doyok, Barata "Polo" Nugraha and Ibra Azhari.

Several people who move in celebrity circles said lots more famous people used drugs but could afford to bribe the police if they were ever caught.

The head of the Jakarta Police's drug unit, Sr. Comr. Carlo Brix Tewu, said the police had arrested 221 people on drug charges during a series of raids on nightclubs in the city since July 11.

"We have focused on nightclubs, discotheques and cafes during the last two weeks because we believe that drug users and dealers gather in those places," he said.

He said that during the raids, the police required all visitors at the nightclubs and discos to take urine tests.