Three Gerindra DPRD Members in East Java Raided During Drug Party
The Surabaya City Police Narcotics Unit arrested eight individuals caught hosting a drug party in a hotel room in Surabaya in the early hours of Monday (28/9). Three of the eight people arrested have been confirmed as members of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in East Java.
The three representatives are identified as U, a member of the Gerindra Faction in the Malang Regency DPRD; A, a member of the Gerindra Faction in the Banyuwangi DPRD; and Ar, a member of the Gerindra Faction in the Situbondo DPRD. They were apprehended alongside five others, namely F, K, N, Ro, and R.
“We have secured them and are processing them in accordance with the applicable law,” said the Head of Public Relations for Surabaya City Police, AKP Hadi Ismanto, on Wednesday (30/9).
Hadi stated that the raid was initiated following reports from the public regarding a drug addict, a private sector employee with the initials N, who was hosting a drug party in a hotel room.
Armed with this information, police moved immediately to the location and found eight people using illegal substances. From the crime scene, police seized several pieces of evidence, including one used plastic bag of crystal methamphetamine (shabu), two yellow ecstasy pills, smoking pipes, lighters, and an empty cigarette pack used to store the methamphetamine.
According to initial statements, N admitted to purchasing the methamphetamine and ecstasy from an individual with the initials C in the Surabaya area. C has now been placed on the Most Wanted list (DPO).
Investigation results and urine tests showed that seven individuals tested positive for ecstasy use, while N was found to have consumed both methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Despite the findings, the eight individuals are not being detained but are undergoing legal proceedings through the restorative justice mechanism. Hadi noted that this step was taken because the amount of evidence found was below the threshold regulated by the Supreme Court Circular (SEMA).
“We are processing these eight perpetrators through restorative justice. We ensure that everyone is processed according to procedure,” he explained.
In a separate location, the Secretary of the Gerindra East Java Regional Leadership Council (DPD), Kharisma Febriansyah, responded to the arrest of the three party members. He emphasised that the party would impose strict sanctions if the three are proven guilty under the law.
“If proven guilty, they will certainly be dismissed and replaced via an interim replacement (PAW) if they hold council seats. However, we also uphold the principle of the presumption of innocence. We will await the announcement or investigation from the police authorities,” concluded Kharisma.