The active participation of the managements of those places is sought in combating the drug trade and preventing the consumption of addictive drugs among people, Director of the South Sumatra Police’s Narcotics Division Sen. Coms. Farman informed journalists here on Friday.
"In encouraging them to contribute actively to the success in the war on drug, they need to be approached more intensively," he noted, adding that commercial places, including night clubs, karaoke lounges, and discotheques, are often the hotbed for the sale and use of drugs.
Active contribution of the managements of those commercial places to Indonesia's war on drug by, for instance, reporting any indications of suspicious drug trafficking activity would prevent others from falling prey to the drug dealers' traps, he emphasized.
Firm legal sanctions, including death penalty or life imprisonment, should be enforced against those involved in drug trafficking activities to have a deterrent effect on others, he affirmed.
On Thursday, the Lhokseumawe District Court in Aceh Province had sentenced a drug dealer named Ibnu Sahar, 37, to death, and three other convicts to life imprisonment for possessing 53 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, or sabu-sabu.
Indonesia remains under serious threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been embroiled in a vicious circle.
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According to the National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report, some 50 drug use-related deaths occur in Indonesia. However, their deaths have failed to deter other drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.
Users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other addictive drugs transcend communities and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Hence, Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its huge population and millions of drug users. The value of drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly Rp66 trillion.
In response to the illicit drugs that drug kingpins have smuggled into and traded in the country over the past few decades, the Indonesian government continues to apply punitive measures against them.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo had also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.
However, this has failed to dissuade drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as one of their main markets even as Indonesian law enforcers continue their ceaseless fight against them.
Related news: East Java's BNN confiscates 4.1 kg of crystal meth
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Translator: Yudi Abdullah, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
