he driver, identified as AMS, had been arrested and named a suspectPontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) - A driver of a Honda Jazz sedan who crashed into seven motorists on Sultan Hamid II Street of Pontianak Timur, West Kalimantan Province, Monday, has tested positive for drugs, a police officer said. The driver, identified by their initials as AMS, had been arrested and named a suspect, Head of the Pontianak Police's Traffic Division Commissioner Salbiah told journalists here Tuesday.
The suspect drove his car (license plate B 2569 KBC) while he was under the influence of crystal meth. Seven motorcyclists were wounded in the accident with two of them being hospitalized.
The crash occurred when AMS drove his car at high speed on Monday at around 06.00 a.m. local time. He attempted to cut across the lane of another vehicle but in the process collided against the motorcyclists, he said.
The suspect told the police investigators that he was an active drug user. The police charged him with Criminal Code's Article 310 (3) that could lead to him spending more than five years in jail.
On Dec 28, 2019 a van driver in South Jakarta, identified by his initials as TP, crashed into seven cyclists on Sudirman Street near Summitmas Building. He tested positive for ecstasy.
Referring to the traffic law, the suspect can face a jail term of up to 10 years.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been embroiled in a vicious circle.
According to the National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report, some 50 drug use-related deaths occur in a day 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 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 drug-related issues encompassing Indonesia's war on drugs, including the need to execute death row convicts, with top security minister Mahfud MD. (INE)
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Translator: Andilala, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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