Inmate acting as drug dealer: Police

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A Nigerian prison inmate here had been acting as a middleman, despite his incarceration, between an international drug syndicate and local buyers, a police officer revealed on Thursday.

Jakarta Police chief of narcotics division, Adj. Sr. Comr. Anjan T. Putra, said that Chidi alias Kingsley, 27, who is currently serving a 7.5-year term at Tangerang Penitentiary for drug dealing, was likely the contact person between foreign and local distributors.

"Kingsley still uses his cellular phone. He arranges transactions, but the drugs never enter the prison," Anjan told reporters after questioning Kingsley at the police headquarters.

He declined to reveal whether the police would investigate further into possible collusion with the penitentiary wardens.

The investigation into Kingsley was based on statements given by two men who were separately arrested this month for heroin possession.

Both said they had a business relationship with Kingsley.

Anjan said Kingsley had also been questioned on Feb. 16, as his name was mentioned by Rina Sandi, who was arrested for carrying 50 grams of heroin.

"This is the second such charge and if he has a third, then Kingsley could face the death penalty," he remarked.

The price of one gram of heroin is about Rp 400,000 (US$47).