Bali Top Legislator on Police’s ‘Most Wanted’ List Found Hiding in a Cow Pen
(11/15/2017)
Police arrested Jero Gede Komang Suastika, the Deputy Chairman of Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) and a leader from the Gerindra Party on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Suastika’s first wife was taken into custody by police the previous week.
After an island-wide search by police over the preceding 10 days when the legislator was placed on the police’s “most wanted” list, Jero Gede was finally found hiding in a cow stable in Payangan, Gianyar.
The Chief of the Bali Police, Inspector General Reinhard Golose, confirmed the arrest of the disgraced lawmaker followed a police raid on his Denpasar residence on Jalan Pulau Batanta No. 70 on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Weapons and drugs seized at the home suggest that Jero Gede was operating a large narcotics distribution system and drug den from his home.
Police, who earlier announced their readiness to meet any resistance from Jero Gede with armed force, said the politician surrendered without incident when he was traced to a cow stall on land owned by a family relation.
The Police General refused to disclose how police traced Jero Gede to his hiding place, saying to do so would reveal police methods and jeopardize future investigations.
Police allege that several people aided and assisted Jero Gede in his flight from the law. Police are now investigating whether these people will be charged with the crime of aiding and abetting a criminal in evading arrest.
Police announced that Jero Gede Komang Suastika will undergo 6 days of intensive interrogation at the Brimob Headquarters in Denpasar in order to unravel any networks and supply chain for the narcotics found at the suspect’s home. “We need to determine the motive, modus operandi and development of the case,” said General Golose.
Balipost.com said police continue to search for a male sibling of Jero Gede who is also a suspect in the narcotics arrest.
General Golose lamented the degree to which the illicit drug trade has penetrated Balinese society. “I wish to advise, in Bali alone, the involvement of local Balinese has reached to the upper echelons of society across a number of professions. More than 60 to 70% of dealers, distributors, and couriers (in the drug trade) involve local people. As a law enforcement officer entrusted to prevent crime and protect the public, I desire to reduce the level of narcotics use in Bali. Why? Because I do not want Bali to become a destination for drug users,” he said.
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Sources: http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=17873
Re-posted by Pande
