Post by CCADP on Aug 23, 2005 6:23:01 GMT -5
Indonesian police insist they are not targeting Australians in drug raids(updated PM 05:27)
2005/8/23
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)
Australia is not being targeted as part of an anti-drug crackdown, despite the arrest of several of its nationals across Indonesia, the country's top law enforcement office said Tuesday.
Police arrested a 21-year-old Australian English teacher over the weekend for allegedly selling Ecstasy and separately detained a 24-year-old Australian lingerie model after authorities caught her with two tablets of the party drug.
"It was untrue that the arrest of drug traffickers and users is specifically targeting Australians," Brig. Gen. Sunarko Danu Artanto told reporters. "Those who violate our anti-drug laws, whatever their nationality, will be treated equal before the law."
Graham Clifford Payne, of Adelaide, was arrested Saturday in Medan, the capital of Indonesia's North Sumatra province, for allegedly distributing Ecstasy, after authorities allegedly found more than 2,000 tablets in his possession.
If convicted, Payne could be sentenced to death by firing squad.
Earlier, police said Michelle Leslie had been detained for possessing Ecstasy on the resort island of Bali. She was allegedly caught with two Ecstasy tablets after police raided a dance party at GW Cultural Park early Saturday morning. She could face at least a decade behind bars if charged and convicted.
The two Australians are the latest in a string of foreigners to be detained during a police crackdown on illegal drugs across the country. Employing surprise raids and on-the-spot drug tests, authorities have netted scores of Indonesian celebrities and foreign tourists.
Under Indonesia's tough drug laws, a person found guilty of narcotics possession faces up to 10 years in jail. A conviction for distribution of drugs carries the death penalty.
Last week, a Bali court sentenced an Australian businessman to five months in jail for possessing a small amount of marijuana.
Meanwhile, Australian Schapelle Corby was sentenced to 20 years in prison in May for smuggling 4.2 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana onto Bali.
Corby's defense team claimed she was likely a victim of an Australian drug ring involving corrupt baggage handlers who failed to retrieve marijuana planted in her surfboard bag before it was transferred to an international flight in Australia.
Eight Australian men and one woman between the ages of 19 and 27 were arrested in April for allegedly trying to smuggle nearly 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of heroin out of Indonesia. Their trial is expected to start next month.
2005/8/23
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)
Australia is not being targeted as part of an anti-drug crackdown, despite the arrest of several of its nationals across Indonesia, the country's top law enforcement office said Tuesday.
Police arrested a 21-year-old Australian English teacher over the weekend for allegedly selling Ecstasy and separately detained a 24-year-old Australian lingerie model after authorities caught her with two tablets of the party drug.
"It was untrue that the arrest of drug traffickers and users is specifically targeting Australians," Brig. Gen. Sunarko Danu Artanto told reporters. "Those who violate our anti-drug laws, whatever their nationality, will be treated equal before the law."
Graham Clifford Payne, of Adelaide, was arrested Saturday in Medan, the capital of Indonesia's North Sumatra province, for allegedly distributing Ecstasy, after authorities allegedly found more than 2,000 tablets in his possession.
If convicted, Payne could be sentenced to death by firing squad.
Earlier, police said Michelle Leslie had been detained for possessing Ecstasy on the resort island of Bali. She was allegedly caught with two Ecstasy tablets after police raided a dance party at GW Cultural Park early Saturday morning. She could face at least a decade behind bars if charged and convicted.
The two Australians are the latest in a string of foreigners to be detained during a police crackdown on illegal drugs across the country. Employing surprise raids and on-the-spot drug tests, authorities have netted scores of Indonesian celebrities and foreign tourists.
Under Indonesia's tough drug laws, a person found guilty of narcotics possession faces up to 10 years in jail. A conviction for distribution of drugs carries the death penalty.
Last week, a Bali court sentenced an Australian businessman to five months in jail for possessing a small amount of marijuana.
Meanwhile, Australian Schapelle Corby was sentenced to 20 years in prison in May for smuggling 4.2 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana onto Bali.
Corby's defense team claimed she was likely a victim of an Australian drug ring involving corrupt baggage handlers who failed to retrieve marijuana planted in her surfboard bag before it was transferred to an international flight in Australia.
Eight Australian men and one woman between the ages of 19 and 27 were arrested in April for allegedly trying to smuggle nearly 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of heroin out of Indonesia. Their trial is expected to start next month.