Policemen fired for releasing drug suspect

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Palembang Police chief of detectives, Adj. to Comr. M. Agung Budijono and drugs squad chief Second Insp. Armon have been removed from their posts for their role in releasing suspected drug trafficker Widi Handoyo, 32.

Widi, alias Sucay, had been arrested on Nov. 8 last year at a hotel with some 500 ecstasy pills, 2.5 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and Rp 12.7 million.

South Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said Agung was officially discharged on Feb. 8, a day after Armon was removed.

Didi said the two officers were found guilty of engineering the release of Sucay, one of the most wanted drug traffickers in Palembang.

The police chief also sent to prison Sgt. Zulkarnain, who was assigned to escort Sucay before he ran away. --JP