Police shoot dead three drug dealers

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

South Jakarta Police detectives shot dead three suspected drug dealers in two separate locations on Saturday morning.

The suspects were identified as Antoni Awaludin, alias Anton, 33, a resident of Jl. Kahuripan, Parung, Bogor; Suwarno, alias Warno, 33, a resident of Jl. Tanah Kusir, South Jakarta; and M. Yamin, alias Jambi, 33, a resident of Jl. Pamulang, Tangerang.

Police said they first arrested Antoni in front of Pasir Putih restaurant on Jl. Kemang Raya in an undercover operation. Police seized from him 60 grams of putauw (low grade heroin) and 50 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine).

He had been grilled by police detectives on the scene and he named Suwarno as his supplier. Police forced Antoni to contact Suwarno for more drugs.

Suwarno, who was visiting M. Yamin, agreed to meet Antoni on Jl. Megah Lestari, Pamulang, to hand over another supply of drugs.

On the way to meet Suwarno, however, Antoni tried to escape from his police escorts.

"The suspect tried to run away when our officers escorted him to the police car. We fired three warning shots but he did not stop, so we shot him," said a an narcotics detective. Antoni died instantly.

Police continued the plan to meet the supplier and Yamin at the designated meeting point. However, Antoni's absence alerted Suwarno and Yamin to the trap, so they fled the scene.

The police claimed they chased the suspects and fired warning shots, but as they ignored the warning, police shot them dead.

Police found 50 grams of putauw on Suwarno and 10 grams of shabu-shabu on Yamin.

The suspects' bodies were sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for autopsies.

In a separate case, Pasar Minggu Police arrested three drug pushers Ishak Ibrahim, Faisal Amin and Iskandar at Pasar Minggu market, South Jakarta. Police confiscated 1.8 kilograms of marijuana from the three.