The suspect produced the crystal meth, or sabu-sabu, alone in his rented two-storey house
Jakarta (ANTARA) - East Jakarta Metropolitan Police arrested a man, identified by his initials as DI, for allegedly producing crystal methamphetamine in his rented house in Lubang Buaya, Cipayung, East Jakarta, during a drug raid on Feb 28.

"The suspect produced the crystal meth, or sabu-sabu, alone in his rented two-storey house," Chief of the East Jakarta Metropolitan Police's Narcotics Division Adjunct Sen. Coms. Jonter Banuarea informed journalists here on Monday.

The police investigators came to the crime scene to reconstruct DI's act on Monday.

"We have sent the sample of DI's crystal meth for testing, and its result is confirmed positive for the drug," Banuarea stated.

During the recent drug raid operation, the policemen seized three grams of crystal meth that the suspect had made, remnant chemical substance, and several equipment, including bongs and plastic tubes, used for producing the drug, he revealed.

The police investigators focused on the suspect's ability to produce the drug alone, he pointed out.

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

The National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report that some 50 Indonesians die of drug use daily has not deterred drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.

The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs are from all communities and transcend socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, according to officials.

Entertainers too feature among the drug users. Indonesia's world of entertainment remains vulnerable to drugs, as is apparent from the arrests of several entertainers found to be using drugs as well as some involved in the sales of illicit drugs.

Over the past three years, at least 12 Indonesian entertainers -- Ammar Zoni, Rio Reifan, Roro Fitria, Fachri Albar, Fariz RM, Jennifer Dunn, Steve Emmanuel, Zul Zivilia, Jefri Nichol, Tri Retno Prayudati alias Nunung Srimulat, Nanie Darham, and Lucinta Luna -- were arrested by police and tried for drug offences.

The more recent case that drew significant attention was of female movie star Nanie Darham being arrested in Jakarta on February 2 for allegedly selling cocaine, with police investigators accusing her of obtaining the cocaine from a drug lord outside Indonesia by ordering through social media platforms.

Indonesia is seen 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 some Rp66 trillion.

EDITED BY INE

Related news: Malaysian citizen detained for drug possesion while crossing border

Related news: Bandung houses produce millions of carisoprodol-containing pills: BNN

Translator: Andi F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020