TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police have nabbed more than 100 thugs during raids over the past 10 days in West Jakarta.
West Jakarta Police Chief Sr. Comr. Fadil Imran said the suspects were facing a variety of charges, including drug dealing, armed robbery, car theft and gambling.
"We have worked really hard in the past 10 days," said Fadil at West Jakarta Police Headquarters on Jl. S. Parman yesterday.
The police made the arrests in a number of criminal hotspots in West Jakarta, including Grogol, Slipi, Cengkareng and throughout Jl. Gajah Mada. The thugs are known to intimidate local residents and road users for money.
However, out of the 151 arrested, police only had enough evidence to put 40 behind bars. "We can't hold them here without evidence," said Fadil. After the thugs were profiled and photographed, the remaining 111 thugs were released from the police custody.
Police also arrested 26 suspected drug dealers linked to 25 reports that came in during the 10-day operation. From the suspects, police confiscated 42.6 kilograms of marijuana, 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 899 ecstasy pills, and 305 Erimin-5 pills - locally known as Happy-5s - with a combined street value exceeding Rp4 billion.
"These men are linked to a number of local crime rings and international syndicates," said Fadil.
Furthermore, the police have arrested 18 people for armed robbery and vehicular theft. From the suspects, police confiscated 11 stolen mobile phones, 39 stolen motorcycles, wrenches and a number of blades.
The suspects often target parked cars and steal rear-view mirrors, but some have been known to target road users after midnight, robbing them off their valuables such as mobile phones and wallets.
PERSIANA GALIH
