Fugitive caught after two years

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 10/14/2006 8:10 AM  |  Jakarta

Prodita Sabarini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After two years on the run, the owner of a busted drug manufacturing factory in Tangerang has been caught by Jakarta Police detectives in Batam, Riau, an officer announced Friday.

Sr. Comr. Arman Depari, the head of the Jakarta Police's drug squad, identified the arrested fugitive as Burhan Tahar alias Tjan Bak Han, 57. The arrest was made Wednesday in a residential complex in Batam.

Police had been pursuing Burhan for two years. He was named a suspect for owning an ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine factory in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

The drug squad raided the factory -- in a two-story shop-house on Jl. Bedugul, Cengkareng, West Jakarta -- in November, 2004, confiscating 82,570 ecstasy pills. Police also found a machine used in the production of ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine

In the raid, police arrested technicians Sastra Wijaya, 49, and Yuda, 35, for their involvement in running the factory.

Burhan managed to escape.

In August, the West Jakarta District Court sentenced Sastra and Yuda to death for their involvement in the production of psychotropic substances. Their lawyer said they would file an appeal.

According to Arman, Burhan has been prohibited from traveling abroad since November, 2004.

""He has also been named an international drug fugitive.""

Arman said Burhan had long been involved in the drug business as he was allegedly involved in running an ecstasy manufacturing company in Cipondoh, Tangerang, owned by Ang Kim Soei. Ang was arrested in April 2002, and was sentenced to death by the Tangerang District Court.

""He was an accomplice of Ang Kim Soei before owning the Cengkareng factory,"" he said.

Burhan had also been arrested for possession of ecstasy in 1999, but was only sentenced to four months, which police said was inadequate.

Arman said Burhan had been using a fake passport and identification in Batam under the name of Budiman.

He said at first Burhan denied his true identity, but confessed after further questioning.

He said that in Batam Burhan had opened a restaurant with his wife.

Arman said police were investigating whether Burhan's wife had played a role at the Tangerang drug manufacturing factory.

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