Head of the Aceh National and Political Unity Office (Kesbangpol), Mahdi Efendi, presented the reward on behalf of the Aceh governor on Wednesday at the hall of the East Aceh police precinct in Idi.
Aceh Police Chief, Inspector General Wahyu Widada, participated in the event via video conference from Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh Province.
Widada thanked the acting Aceh governor for the appreciation and reward for his men.
Due to its geographical proximity to several countries, Aceh Province is vulnerable to trans-national drug trafficking activities, he noted.
For winning the war against drugs, Widada highlighted the importance of building a good synergy between regional governments and related stakeholders.
In a recent drug raid, the East Aceh precinct policemen had successfully thwarted an attempt by drug dealers to smuggle 45 kg of crystal meth and arrested five suspects belonging to an international drug syndicate.
The suspects have been identified by their initials as KS (28), BS (32), AJ (45), JN (23), and TJ (23).
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, with several members of its working-age population trapped in a vicious cycle of drug abuse.
According to a report from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), around 50 drug use-related deaths occur everyday in Indonesia. However, the deaths have failed to deter other drug users in the country.
Users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other addictive drugs transcend communities and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
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 at nearly Rp66 trillion. (INE)
Related news: Jambi BNN arrests four, confiscates 4.9-kg meth, 1,400 ecstasy pills
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Translator: M.Haris SA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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