Three more jailed on Ecstasy charges
Three more jailed on Ecstasy charges
TANGERANG, West Java (JP): The Tangerang District Court
sentenced three people to jail yesterday for smuggling more than
60,000 Ecstasy pills from Netherlands into Indonesia through
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Ronny Soewoyo, 41, got two years jail, housewife Okki Suryani,
31, got 18 months jail, while Julianto Arief Indrajaya, 30, got a
year in jail.
The sentences were harsher than the 10 month terms the
prosecutor demanded.
They were also fined Rp 1 million each.
Presiding judge Ratna Zubaida said they collaborated with
another defendant, Ridwan Chaniago, to smuggle 60,778 Ecstasy
pills.
On Wednesday Ridwan got three years jail for masterminding the
April smuggling attempt.
After the hearing Okki said the harsh sentence was because of
public pressure from the Nov. 15. youth demonstration.
Defense lawyer Tubagus Gandasubrata said he would probably
appeal.
The court found the defendants guilty of violating the 1992
Law on Health, specifically Articles 80 (4b) and 40 (1), which
prohibit the production and distribution of drugs not registered
with the Ministry of Health.
The maximum penalty is 15 years jail and a Rp 300 million
fine.
Judge Ratna said Ronny and Okki, the wife of a local film
star, were guilty of cooperating with Chaniago to smuggle the
pills, while Julianto, a Garuda Indonesia employee, was guilty of
assisting them.
According to the indictment, Chaniago was assigned by Ronny
and Okki to go to the Netherlands to get the pills and bring them
to Indonesia.
Chaniago flew Garuda flight GA 089055 and carried the Ecstasy
pills in four boxes stuffed in a suitcase.
Julianto was assigned to take care the pills when Chaniago
arrived at the airport.
Julianto failed to do this because he was not on duty at the
time and the suitcase containing the pills was unclaimed and sent
to the lost and found counter.
"Julianto asked Ronny and Okki to take care of the suitcase
instead," the judge said quoting the indictment.
The four were arrested by police at the Ibis Hotel Arcadia in
Central Jakarta. (27/sur)