Three men arrested with 11 kilograms of marijuana

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested three men in Cililitan, East Jakarta, for allegedly transporting and distributing 11 kilograms of marijuana.

East Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Syahrir Kuba told reporters yesterday the suspects, Muhktar, Hasanuddin and Surya, were arrested in a raid Monday afternoon near the Cililitan bus terminal.

"Our preliminary investigation indicates that Surya bought the marijuana in Aceh (in the northern tip of Sumatra) and had it shipped by bus in a package addressed to the bus' representative office located near the terminal here," Syahrir said.

The 11 kilograms of marijuana, which has a total street value of Rp 16.5 million (US$2,062), was carefully wrapped in paper and hidden by cigarettes inside a medium-size box, the officer said.

Sjahrir said that his office had received information concerning the shipment and that undercover personnel were keeping the office under surveillance.

"They waited until Muhktar and Hasanuddin came early Monday to collect the package and followed the two suspects to Surya's house, which was not very far from the terminal," he said.

The three were also believed to be members of a local drug network specializing in the distribution of Aceh-grown marijuana.

"Some of their accomplices were arrested in a similar case by police late last month," said Syahrir without naming the arrested suspects.

He said the three men were now being detained at his office for further questioning.

If proved guilty of transporting marijuana, the suspects would face a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail and a Rp 750 million (US$93,750) fine.

If found guilty of distributing the drugs, they would face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a Rp 1 billion fine as well. (cst)