Tangerang police arrest actress in huge Ecstasy haul

TANGERANG (JP): Local police detectives have arrested a television actress for allegedly possessing 29,677 Ecstasy pills worth over Rp 1.78 billion (US$757,700).

The haul is the country's second biggest drug bust after four people were arrested in May at Soekarno-Hatta international airport for allegedly smuggling 60,000 ecstasy pills.

The head of the Tangerang police detectives, Capt. Ade Sutiana, told reporters yesterday that the suspect Zarima, 24, had offered a Rp 30 million bribe to plainclothes detectives minutes after her arrest on Wednesday evening.

Zarima, who claims to be the marketing manager of PT Bina Sakti Pakarindo, a property firm, was arrested at her home at the elite Taman Alfa Indah housing complex in Joglo, West Jakarta, Capt. Ade said.

He said that a few days ago four detectives were assigned to keep a close eye on the novice actress, who has appeared in several television series.

The Tangerang police began investigating her after receiving a tip that Zarima was in possession of a huge number of Ecstasy pills, Ade said.

He said that four detectives went to Zarima's home on Wednesday afternoon, pretending that they were local civil servants collecting funds for neighborhood activities for Independence Day on Aug. 17.

"But all of them were equipped with arrest warrants and orders to search her house," Ade said.

After Zarima opened the door, the four officers produced their detective badges and ordered Zarima to show them the drugs.

"Initially, she denied keeping any drugs at the house before admitting that she possessed 3,000 Ecstasy pills which she said belonged to a friend," Ade said.

Bribe

After a short conversation, Zarima offered a Rp 5 million bribe to the four detectives, he said. "Later, she extended the offer to Rp 30 million and asked the officers to take the 3,000 pills."

The four detectives pretended to accept the offer, asking the suspect to show them the pills, Ade said.

Zarima had said the pills were in a safe box in the house but the key was kept by a friend, he said.

Fearing she may escape or throw the pills away, the four detectives persuaded the woman to bring the safe box to their office at the Tangerang police precinct.

Zarima, however, rejected their proposal, saying that she would call someone to immediately bring the key.

A few minutes later, a man dropped by and handed over the key.

In the safe box, the detectives found 29,677 Ecstasy pills of various shapes and colors; including the pills initialed RN -- known as top quality pills.

The drugs were packed in plastic bags containing 1,000 pills each.

During preliminary police questioning, Zarima told the police that the pills belonged to her friend, named Rio.

Based on Zarima's passport, Ade said the suspect had traveled to several countries, including the Netherlands, Australia, Thailand and Singapore.

The Netherlands has been reported as one of the origins of the Ecstasy pills being smuggled in Asia.

If found guilty, Zarima faces up to 15 years in prison and fines up to Rp 300 million. (28/bsr)