PSM aims to expose illegal drugs mafia

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The patron of PSM Makassar, Nurdin Halid, said on Friday the soccer club would expose the "drug mafia" which was supplying drugs to players in the Bank Mandiri national league.

"We aim to uncover the mafia starting with PSM," said Nurdin, who is also the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) official in charge of athlete development.

PSM striker Kuncoro, who used shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) before a match on April 12, has been indefinitely banned from competition. A report from a medical team at Dr. Soetomo Hospital, signed by Dr. Teguh, confirmed that Kuncoro had used the drug.

"Kuncoro admitted he used shabu-shabu, but we really want to expose the man behind Kuncoro's addiction to illegal drugs. We believe he was caught by a bigger criminal," Nurdin said.

Kuncoro, who was transferred to PSM in a Rp 40 million (US$ 5,000) deal, wrote a letter detailing the events surrounding his use of the drug.

"I took shabu-shabu on April 11 at 1 p.m. at Hotel Wetan Surabaya, where the PSM players were staying. But I was framed and forced by Persebaya player Mursyid Effendy," he said in the letter read by Nurdin.

"I was in the bathroom when Mursyid came in with his friend, who I had never met before. Mursyid asked me to try the stuff. He said if I wanted to play soccer without feeling exhausted during the match, I should take it.

"He kept urging me and I finally inhaled the drug three times. I already felt dizzy, but Mursyid kept telling me to take more, until I had inhaled the drug six times."

Kuncoro also said he took four Reactivan tablets that day to ease his muscle aches.

Nurdin said: "Based on the laboratory test results, Kuncoro's blood sample contained an amphetamine derivate and methamphetamine, which proved he took illegal drugs.

"As he also took Reactivan, he also broke PSSI regulations, which stipulate that Reactivan is a banned substance."

Nurdin said PSM was able to obtain the medical report, which PSSI was unable to get a copy of, at the request of Kuncoro.

"We have Kuncoro's written request that the medical report (be released to us) so we didn't break any law.

"We hope this case can uncover the use of illegal drugs in the national soccer community," Nurdin said. (27)