Tonic kills three men in Cakung

JAKARTA (JP): A vendor selling "tonic" was arrested following the death of three of 11 men who were rushed to hospital after drinking the concoction, police said on Tuesday.

Cakung Police subprecinct chief Comr. I Gede Putu Keramas said the 11 victims bought eight bottles of the drink from Afrison's stall on Jl. Dr. Radjiman Widigyoningrat, Rawa Gedong, Cakung, East Jakarta.

A group of customers comprising Anton, Eko, Suhardi and Maman bought three bottles and drank them together at Afrison's stall on Saturday evening.

"A few minutes after drinking it, they felt dizzy and were rushed to hospital," Putu said.

Another group of customers, comprising Iwan, Hendri, Rojali, Topan, Bob, Peling and Asmawi, bought five bottles and drank them at a soccer field at Pedurenan village, Cakung.

All these people also got dizzy and were rushed to hospital.

Putu said three of the victims: Anton, 23, a resident of Kalibaru Barat, Cilincing, North Jakarta, Iwan, 22, and Asmawi, 20, both residents of Pedurenan, Rawa Teratai, Cakung, East Jakarta, died early on Monday while the others were still in critical condition at Persahabatan Hospital in East Jakarta.

Afrison, 27, admitted he prepared the drink by mixing a liter of alcohol, six liters of boiled water, coloring, Coca Cola and ginseng.

Afrison who had run the stall for three years said he started peddling the drink six months ago and sold it for Rp 4,500 a bottle. Police seized 20 bottles of the drink. (01)