Nigerian on trial for drug smuggling

TANGERANG: Tangerang District Court began on Monday the trial of a Nigerian charged with smuggling heroin from Islamabad, Afghanistan, into the country via the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last December.

Defendant Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, 39, allegedly smuggled 1,222 grams of heroin in 60 capsules that he inserted in his anus. The defendant claimed he received the drugs from a man named John in Islamabad and was tasked to deliver them to a certain Ifeanyi in Jakarta. Both of them are still at large.

Prosecutors charged him under Article 82 of Law No. 22/1997 on narcotics that carries a maximum penalty of death. Presiding judge Suprapto adjourned the trial until Thursday to hear the defense. -- JP