Suspected heroin users released

JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta police announced yesterday that they have released on bail a young French woman and six local citizens but that they are holding three other citizens following a raid on a "heroin party" in Jagakarsa in the city's south on Tuesday morning.

According to South Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Sylvanus Yulian Wenas, the 19-year-old French woman, identified only as Jacqueline, and the six Indonesians released have been classified only as "consumers" of heroin. Of the three people who remain in police detention, two have been charged with distributing the drug, while the third has been charged with illegal possession of a deadly weapon.

Under the Law on Narcotics No. 9/1976, "heroin users may not be detained," Wenas said, as quoted by City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Permantoro.

"They have to be released, but they must always be available to be reached if we need them," Wenas added.

Article 23 of the law forbids the use of narcotics, except for medical reasons.

Wenas said the three people who remain in detention in connection with Tuesday's raid are being investigated intensively.

The first two suspects, identified only as IH, 29, and TD, 24, who are charged as heroin distributors, face a life sentence if convicted as charged.

The group was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday while enjoying a party at IH's house on Jl. Swadaya II in the Tanjung Barat subdistrict.

Police were tipped off about the "heroin party" by IH's neighbors.

During the raid, police found needle marks on all of the participants' bodies.

Police also seized a few grams of heroin powder and liquid and a number of injecting implements for use in evidence. (bsr)