Nightspot drugs dealer busted

JAKARTA (JP): A man has been arrested for allegedly trafficking Ecstasy in discotheques and nightspots across the city, police said.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Saturday that the suspect, identified as Suherman Satibi, 33, was arrested with 66 Ecstasy pills in his possession.

"We busted him this morning at around 1 a.m. in the parking lot of a superstore beside the Cleopatra discotheque in Sunter, North Jakarta."

He said officers had been looking for the suspect for his alleged involvement in drug transactions in entertainment centers.

The suspect had hidden the 66 Ecstasy pills, which have a total street value here of about Rp 2 million (US$555), in a specially designed pocket in his pants' waistband, Aritonang said.

"The suspect said he had sold the drugs at various night spots, especially at the Cleopatra discotheque and the Kramat Tunggak prostitution complex, for more than a year," he said.

The suspect is being detained at the North Police Precinct for further questioning.

According to Article 59 of the 1997 Psychotropic Law Number 5, those found guilty of trafficking Ecstasy face between four and 15 years imprisonment and a fine of between Rp 150 million and Rp 750 million as well. (cst)