Tangerang police arrest actress in huge Ecstasy haul
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)