Minor on trial for drug abuse

JAKARTA (JP): A 17-year-old woman is being tried at the Jakarta Central District Court for possession of 0.0348 grams of third grade heroin with intent to use.

Prosecutor Shinta Sasanti said LM was caught in a police operation on May 14 of this year.

"She was arrested inside a car in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, where the police found the drug. She admitted it belonged to her," Shinta said.

The heroin is locally called putaw.

The defendant is charged under Article 23 of the 1976 narcotics law, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence for people found guilty of keeping and consuming narcotics without permission from the Ministry of Health.

However, as she is still a minor, LM would be admitted to a psychiatric facility for treatment if found guilty. (04)