Six kilos of marijuana seized

JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detectives have busted three alleged drug dealers and seized six kilograms of marijuana from their possession.

Chief of the precinct Lt. Col. Syahrir Kuba told reporters yesterday that one of the group members, whose identities are already known, was still at large.

The marijuana haul, with a street value of at least Rp 12 million (US$2,100), was the first major drug raid this year.

According to Syahrir, the three suspects were caught red- handed while preparing to make a transaction at the intercity Pulogadung bus terminal late Friday.

"We caught them ready to sell the first three kilograms of marijuana packed in cardboard boxes," said the officer.

The three are identified as Janer Simamora, Parulian Tampubolon and Bambang Sibagariang.

"Their accomplice, Pardede, managed to escape," he said.

After a short investigation, the three led police detectives to a boarding house in Klender to seize the other three kilograms of marijuana.

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the first two suspects, Simamora and Tampubolon, formerly an intercity bus driver and co-driver respectively, were the suppliers while Bambang and Pardede acted as traffickers.

"We made a close surveillance of the Pulogadung bus terminal and waited until we could catch them in the act," Syahrir said.

If found guilty, they will be charged under the 1997 Narcotics Law under Articles No. 78, 81 and 82 which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, Syahrir said. (04)