Heroin trafficker gets 16 months in jail

JAKARTA (JP): A judge at the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced on Wednesday defendant Doni Novian to one year and four months in jail for trafficking 0.5112 grams of grade one heroin.

Judge Endang Soemarsih said the defendant was found guilty of violating article 82 of the 1997 Narcotics Law. The article carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

"However, the defendant is still young and has regretted all his wrongdoings," said the judge.

The sentence was four months less than the one sought by prosecutor Ferdie Jani.

Judge Endang said the defendant was arrested by police last June at his home in Duri Pulo subdistrict, Central Jakarta.

"The police found two packages of heroin packed in two candy plastic wrappers in the defendant's left pant pocket," Endang said.

The court's tougher sentencing on the drug defendants would appear to be linked to sustained public pressure. (asa)