Police conduct probe into smuggler's escape

JAKARTA (JP): National Police are conducting an internal investigation into the escape of alleged heroin smuggler, Limbane Cosmo, from their custody on Feb. 2.

The Chief of General Information at the National Police, Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko said yesterday police had questioned several officers on duty at the time of the escape.

"We have collected detailed information about how he escaped. But we can't reveal it to the press," Bambang said.

He said the officers involved in the man's escape would be punished, at least for their negligence.

The fugitive, South African passport holder Limbane Cosmo arrived at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport from Bangkok via Singapore on Jan. 8 with 320 grams of heroin in 25 capsules.

He swallowed 11 of the capsules, leaving the remaining 14 capsules in his pocket. Customs and Excise officers found them when he collapsed in the immigration area after arrival.

"Some of the capsules probably leaked causing him to collapse," an officer said at the time. Cosmo was taken to the Kramatjati Police Hospital before being removed to National Police detention from where he escaped on Feb. 2.

Bambang said the National Police were cooperating with the International Police to hunt the fugitive. " We have a good cooperation arrangement with the International Police, especially in relation to narcotics cases. We hope to catch him soon."

He said the police were placing wanted posters of the suspect in police stations to help in the capture.

A police source, who wanted to remain anonymous, said some police officers were being detained for their alleged roles in the escape of the suspect.

"It will disgrace us, revealing the names of our officers," he said.

It was the second escape of an alleged heroin smuggler from police custody.

A Ghanaian, suspected of smuggling 650 grams of heroin, escaped from City Police detention in October 1995 before being recaptured in April last year.

No police officer was punished for helping him escape.

The man, Ibrahim S., was found guilty by the Jakarta District Court on Dec. 14, and is now serving 20 years in jail. (jun)