Surfing Through Drug Traffic on the Internet ... From Prison?

The Jakarta Globe, June 29, 2012


Balikpapan. Despite his sentence behind bars for a narcotics conviction, a prisoner in Balikpapan penitentiary was found surfing into the drug world via a mobile phone and Wi-Fi internet connection. The discovery has a high ranking official baffled, and asking for answers from prison authorities.

Deputy Justice and Human Rights Minister Denny Indrayana was surprised to find a mobile-phone, laptop and Wi-Fi antenna in a prisoner named Amiruddin's cell. Amiruddi was convicted for distributing one kilogram crystal methamphetamine worth Rp one billion ($106,000).

After hearing about the operation, Denny inspected the cell after he received information that Amiruddin had developed a drug trafficking operation within the prison facilities; police discovered the operation when they arrested two couriers who were connected with the trafficking.

“Why is there a mobile phone and [Wi-Fi] antenna? They should not be here,” Denny asked Taufik Hidayat, head of security at the prison.

Prison warden Nurwulan Hadi Prakoso, who was having lunch when Denny arrived, was reportedly surprised to see Denny when he returned.

Denny announced that he would evaluate the penitentiary management.

“We will give a sanction after the investigation is over,” he said. “If the investigation shows there’s mistake, sanctions will be given in accordance with the mistake. We have standard regulations on this.”