The suspect attempted to offer the North Sumatra immigration officials a bribe of Rp2 billion if they let him go
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The North Sumatra immigration officials at Kualanamu International Airport apprehended an Indonesian man, identified as A, 34, on December 12 after their passport control system issued an alert as his travel documents were being checked. The suspect attempted to offer the North Sumatra immigration officials a bribe of Rp2 billion if they let him go, spokesman of the Immigration Directorate General Sam Fernando said in a press statement made available to ANTARA here Friday.

The suspect had arrived at the Kualanamu International Airport by a Malaysian Airlines flight along with his colleague.

Before attempting to bribe the immigration officials, A also attempted to escape but was apprehended before he could leave the airport's immigration area, he said.

A has been put on the list of the most wanted fugitives by the Central Sulawesi police investigators in a drug case, Fernando said.

Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been embroiled in a vicious circle.

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, according to the National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report.

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 drug trade in the country is estimated to reach nearly Rp66 trillion.

Due to the ongoing serious threats posed by these drug lords, on December 5, 2019, BNN Chief Commissioner General Heru Winarko discussed with top security minister Mahfud MD issues regarding Indonesia's war on drugs, including the need to execute death row convicts.

"Capital punishment is part of the laws that should be imposed," he told journalists following his meeting with the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs.

Several death row prisoners have yet to be executed for drug-related offences. Apart from this issue, he also deliberated on several other matters, including drugs in prison.

He believes that the easiest way to deal with cases of drugs in prison was to stall communication networks inside penitentiaries to halt drug transactions. (INE)
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Translator: Joko Susilo, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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