Each of the convicts is fined Rp2 billion. According to the verdict of the panel of judges read out by Chief Judge Touch Simanjuntak on Wednesday, the convicts had opposed the Indonesian government's war on drugs.
The convicts, identified as Syahbudn, Ahmad Chandra, Adityawarman, and Junaidi, were arrested at the Grand City of the Talang Kelapa Housing Complex in Palembang during a drug raid operation in September 2019.
The four men assisted an attempt to secure the smuggled package of crystal meth for which they had received payment.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have got 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 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 viewed by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market owing 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. Related news: Death sentence granted to drug dealer in Aceh
Related news: West Jakarta Court sentences nine drug dealers to life imprisonment
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Aziz M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
