Indian on trial for drugs

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The district court yesterday opened the trial of an Indian charged with attempting to smuggle in almost 13 kilograms of heroin in February.

The session lasted only about 10 minutes after the court was unable to provide an interpreter as the defendant, APC, 55, requested.

Presiding Judge Djulizar, adjourning the session to June 27, also granted the defendant's request to provide him with a lawyer.

The heroin haul was the largest that authorities in North Sumatra have handled in the past decade. Court officials said the trials of two other defendants will open today, Antara reported. (pan)