The suspect allegedly smuggled the marijuana that he had camouflaged in brownies and vape liquids. He concealed this illicit drug in a bag that he boarded the aircraft withJakarta (ANTARA) - The South Jakarta metropolitan police have apprehended a 27-year-old American national, only identified by his initials CCB, at his apartment unit in Bintaro, Jakarta, Monday, January 20, for allegedly smuggling marijuana into Indonesia. The suspect allegedly smuggled the marijuana that he had camouflaged in brownies and vape liquids. He concealed this illicit drug in a bag that he boarded the aircraft with, South Jakarta Police Chief Sen. Coms Bastoni Purnama told journalists here Thursday.
CCB told the police investigators that he works for a mental health clinic in California, and arrived at the Soekarno Hatta International Airport on January 17, 2020 on a tourist visa, Purnama said.
The suspect was nabbed at his apartment unit Monday thanks to tip-off on a drug transaction at the apartment that the South Jakarta police’s anti-drug squad personnel received.
During the raid, the policemen found the brownies that contained marijuana and vape liquids that had been confirmed by a laboratory test, he said, adding that the police investigators also discovered cigarette paper used for consuming the marijuana and a device for smoking.
The suspect told the police investigators that he brought the marijuana contained brownies and vape liquids from his home in California.
He traveled to Jakarta alone and consumed the drugs by himself, CCB further confessed. He had traveled to Indonesia five times and stayed at the Bintaro-based apartment during his visit, Purnama added.
The police charged him under Articles 111 and 112 of Law No.35/2009 on Drugs. If he is found guilty, he is subject to a maximum jail term of 12 years.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been embroiled in a vicious circle.
Both domestic and transnational drug dealers perceive Indonesia as one of their potential markets due to its large population and millions of drug users. The drug trade in the country is estimated to reach nearly Rp66 trillion.
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. (INE)
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Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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