Police called on to hand over suspects

TANGERANG (JP): The local prosecutors office strongly urged the police on Saturday to immediately hand over two drug case suspects, believed to have been freed by police officers for unknown reasons.

"Until today, the two suspected drug dealers have not been sent to us," prosecutor Siti Zahara, who is handling the case, told reporters.

She said the complete dossiers along with the evidence were handed over to her office by the police last month. According to standard procedure, the dossiers should also be handed over to the prosecutors together with the suspects, who would then be jailed under the supervision of the local prosecutors office.

Zahara refused to give further comments, saying that her office only wanted the two suspects, identified as Andi Mulya and Tubagus Hoirin, as soon as possible so the trial sessions could be held immediately.

"Tangerang chief prosecutor has lambasted me over the issue. The chief also asked me not to interfere in police affairs," she said.

Police caught Andi and Tubagus with 14.7 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) on April 13 at a cafe in Taman Cibodas of Jatiuwung district during a routine night operation.

When asked to comment about the missing suspects in their custody, Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto said that he had no information about the case.

"I haven't heard of any prisoners escaping from our jail," he told reporters.

"We may have a legal basis to delay the arrest but I will investigate all of my personnel if the dealers escaped from the jail or were given city arrest," he added. (41/nvn)