Police officers arrested in Rp 100m extortion attempt
Evi Mariani and Abdul Khalik, Jakarta
Two officers from the National Police crime division were arrested over the weekend by Jakarta Police detectives following a report that they had extorted Rp 100 million (US$11,236) from a suspected drug dealer.
The two -- identified as Adj. Comr. Zainal Arifin and Adj. Comr. Ahmad Kurnia -- were apprehended and questioned as civilians, said the city police detectives' chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang on Monday.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Paiman confirmed the arrests. "They have been detained and are being questioned by the city police, but the National Police internal affairs bureau may also question them."
The extortion attempt was reported by suspected drug dealer, Teguh, who was apprehended by Zainal and Ahmad for being in possession of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine). The two officers seized one gram of the drug and threatened to report Teguh unless he paid them what they asked.
Teguh, his wife Anggraini and their friend Syahrial could jointly come up with half of the amount that had been demanded. Teguh told the officers that he would give them money after Syahrial withdrew it from Bank Mandiri on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta. At the same time, Teguh secretly reported the case at the Central Jakarta police station.
When Syahrial handed over a bag containing Rp 50 million in cash to Zainal and Ahmad, detectives arrested them and took them to city police headquarters. The police also seized the money as evidence.
The two officers are being dealt with under Law No.2/2002 on the national police. The law stipulates that any officer who commits a general crime must be processed as a civilian.
The detectives later arrested Teguh and detained him at the narcotics detention center for possession of drugs. Teguh could be charged with violating Law No. 22/1997 on drugs.
Reports of extortion attempts by police officers are nothing new. Previously, the National Police internal affairs bureau questioned two senior officers -- Adj. Comr. Zulfan Sik and Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito -- based on similar allegations. However, in the end they were only transferred to other posts.