Police arrest drug dealer with 6000 Ecstasy pills
Police arrest drug dealer with 6000 Ecstasy pills
JAKARTA (JP): The city narcotics squad have arrested suspected
drug dealer with 600 pills of the popular Ecstasy drug in his
possession.
The head of the Jakarta narcotics squad, Lt. Col. Djoko
Satrio, said yesterday that he expects to get several more
suspects and more Ecstacy pills in the next few days.
"We pledge to continue our war against drug traffickers," City
Police spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday at the Duta Merlin
shopping complex in West Jakarta, Capt. Immanuel of the narcotics
division said.
The 22-year-old suspect was identified as Jemmy Roesli.
He was arrested while selling his pills. The buyer escaped,
spokesman Iman said.
Police said that their informers said Jemmy had 2,000 Ecstasy
pills for the unidentified man. The transaction was planned for
the basement of the shopping center, Iman said.
"However, we only found 600 pills called Electric on him
during the raid," he said.
One pill currently sells for Rp 50,000, Iman said.
Targets
According to Immanuel, Jemmy had allegedly sold the illegal
drugs twice before.
"The first time he sold 200 pills and the second time 100
pills," Immanuel said.
"The suspect only took cash," Imannuel added.
Although Jemmy revealed nothing while being interrogated,
officer Djoko said narcotics detectives will continue to trace
the source of the Ecstasy.
"Please be patient and let us find other targets and this time
they will be big fish," Djoko pledged.
Possessing and trafficking Ecstasy is illegal under Health Law
No. 23 issued in 1992.
On Feb. 8, two men were arrested for possessing 257 Ecstasy
pills. The pills were of different brands.
If found guilty, suspects face a maximum of 15 years in jail
and a maximum fine of Rp 300 million.
Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is popular among young Indonesian
adults and teenagers attending rave parties.
The drug can reportedly be purchased at certain discotheques
and places frequented by the city's wealthy teenagers. Before it
became popular, the drug sold for between Rp 100,000 and Rp
200,000 a pill.
Both Bali and Surabaya also have a thriving Ecstasy trade.
It is strongly believed that much of the Ecstasy found in
Indonesia is being made locally. (bsr)