From Stable to Drug Den

Five automobiles stopped along Jalan Kesatrian IX in Matraman, East Jakarta, on Sunday night two weeks ago. Three or four people exited each vehicle, dressed like office workers. They walked towards the entrance to a narrow alleyway, about 50 meters from where they had parked. They left the car engines idling. There was a person behind the wheel of each car, ready to make a speedy getaway.

The arrival of those outsiders aroused the suspicions of residents of Kesatrianthe area better known as Berlan. They were not dressed like the locals, most of whom were resting for the night. "Hey, what are you doing here? Where are you going?" said one neighborhood watchman. This shout sounded like an alert for other residents to come outside.Yelled at in that way, the group of outsiders panicked and returned to their respective vehicles. One of them who was too slow to get back in their vehicle was kicked by one resident. "Go! Get out of here!" said one neighborhood watchman, recounting the incident, last week.