Marijuana hidden in bird cage

JAKARTA (JP): Police failed to catch an alleged jewelry shop robber when they raided the suspect's house last week, but they found 36 kilograms of marijuana hidden in a bird cage.

The 23-year-old suspect had already fled when police entered the house in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang said Tuesday.

"Somehow we did not return empty handed," Aritonang told reporters.

Police believe that the suspect is a member of a gang who robbed jewelry shops in Tebet, South Jakarta, and Cikini, Central Jakarta.

The marijuana was packed in ten plastic bags hidden in a bird cage in the suspect's backyard.

The suspect's mother told police she knew nothing about the drugs or her son's whereabouts, Aritonang said. (cst)