Five arrested for selling drugs at nightclubs

Sr. Comr. Rikwanto: Jakarta Police spokesman. Tribunnews.com

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto says that the police have arrested five people dealing drugs at numerous nightclubs across the capital.

It is possible that one of those arrested sold ecstasy to the suspects in a fatal road accident in Gambir, Central Jakarta, last month.

“The five drug dealers were arrested in a series of raids at several nightclubs in Jakarta on Feb. 4,” Rikwanto told reporters.

The five alleged dealers were identified only as SD, AL, NA, NT, and JSD is a woman, according to Rikwanto.

The police also confiscated 40 ecstasy pills as evidence.

Nightclubs raided included Millenium in Gajah Mada Plaza, Exotis in Mangga Besar, Sydney 2000 in Glodok and Miles in the Lokasari red-light district.

All are located in West Jakarta, except Millenium, which is in Central Jakarta.

All of the five peddlers are in custody at the narcotics directorate’s detainment center at the Jakarta Police headquarters.

The police have charged them under the 2009 Narcotics Law for illegal drug possession and drug dealing. They could face 20 years in prison or be fined Rp 10 billion (US$1.1 million) if found guilty.

According to Rikwanto, the police are investigating whether any of them sold ecstasy pills to Apriyani Susanti and her three friends on the night prior to the horrific car crash involving all four on Jan. 22.

He said that the five peddlers were known to supply drugs at numerous nightclubs in the city, including Stadium, where Apriyani had allegedly downed ecstasy pills several hours before she plowed into 12 pedestrians while driving a borrowed Daihatsu Xenia.

The police said that Apriyani and her friends bought two ecstasy pills for Rp 400,000.

“We have questioned them on whether they sold drugs to Apriyani but they said they couldn’t remember,” Rikwanto said, adding that investigators were looking into whether there was any connection between them and Apriyani. (mim)