'Putaw' dealer gets eight years in jail

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced a 24-year-old man yesterday to eight years in jail for selling 4.85 grams of low-grade heroin, putaw.

The punishment, read by presiding judge Imam Purnomo, was lower than the prosecutor's demand of 12 years.

According to Imam, defendant Fatomi Padma was found guilty -- based on Article 23 (5) of Law 9/1976 on narcotics -- of possessing and selling the heroin on Aug. 29 last year.

"The defendant admitted the offense and promised to improve his behavior," Imam said.

He said Fatomi was arrested when he tried to sell the heroin to an undercover police officer on Jl. Kebon Sirih Timur Dalam Raya, Central Jakarta.

The street, known for its drug dealers, had been monitored by three officers from the Menteng Police subprecinct, Alfius Firdaus, M. Subali, and Sunaryo, he said.

On Aug. 29 Alfius was approached while waiting in a Kijang van by Fatomi's friend, Yopie, who offered to buy heroin, Imam said.

Fatomi showed up a few minutes later on Yopie's request and met the undercover officer to discuss the price, the judge said.

With the help of the two other officers, Alfius immediately handcuffed the defendant after he pulled out a package of heroin from his jeans pocket, he added.

Yopie is still at large.

Both the prosecutor and the defendant's lawyers are considering appealing the judge's decision. (jun)