City police detainee had drugs, cash in cell

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

City police said Monday they had seized 2.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, and Rp 13 million (US$1,428) from a detainee.

The cash and drugs, along with a tool to inhale the banned substance, were found in the cell of a man identified as TH during a raid Friday, said city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana.

The suspect, a steel company director, was arrested in a year-end operation on the Balaraja turnpike in Tangerang and detained for allegedly possessing two different ID cards.

Police officers also confiscated an inhaling tool in his car, but he could not be charged with illegal possession or use of drugs because there was not enough evidence, said Yoga.

TH had asked for bail, but the police turned down the request.

Yoga acknowledged that it was very easy to get drugs to people in police custody, even though it rarely happens.

"It is so easy to smuggle something into the cell. It can be put in the food or whatever the visitors bring for the detainee," he told reporters.

"It can happen because the police are careless or because they (visitors) are so smart," Yoga told The Jakarta Post.

He added that Friday's discovery was the result of hard work by the police, however.

This was not the first time drugs were smuggled into a cell, Yoga said, but he did not remember the last time it had happened.

Police said TH can now be charged with illegal possession of drugs. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to five years in jail.

Jakarta Police narcotics unit head Sr. Adj. Comr. Sigit Gumantio said the case had not been transferred to his unit because the suspect was still under investigation in the document forgery case. (02)