Nigerian jailed for possessing heroin

JAKARTA (JP): A Nigerian man was sentenced by the Central Jakarta District Court to two years in jail for possessing 100 grams of heroin.

Presiding Judge I. Made Karna also fined the defendant, Frens Ubuka Unaife, Rp 25 million (US$2,890) for violating Article 78 (II) of Law No. 22/1997 on possession of narcotics.

The article carries a jail sentence of between two years and 12 years, and a fine between Rp 25 million and Rp 750 million.

"Although the defendant still denies the charge, we ruled that the defendant was guilty of possessing the heroin based on the testimony of witnesses in earlier sessions," Karna said.

According to police testimony, Frens was arrested in his room in a Tanah Abang low-cost apartment on Jl. KH Mas Mansyur, Central Jakarta, during a police raid on Nov. 1, last year.

Police officers say they found the heroin in a plastic bag after checking the room.

The defendant said the bag belonged to a friend, identified as Emeka, also a Nigerian, he said.

Emeka is still at large.

Frens, through an interpreter, said on Friday that he accepted the judge's decision.

Prosecutor Suleman asked the court to sentence Frens to three years in jail for possessing the heroin. (jun)