Two suspected members of the drug syndicate, identified by their initials as MTO and WNR, were arrested during a police raid at MOI Apartment in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, a police officer said on Tuesday. They were reportedly using the apartment to store drugs.
Three other suspects managed to escape, chief of the West Jakarta Metropolitan Police's Drug Investigation Unit, Commissioner Ronaldo Maradona, said.
The three fugitives were identified only by their initials R, RS, and EE, he said adding, police investigators believe they were responsible for controlling transnational drug trafficking activities and trade of drugs in Jakarta.
"This drug case was uncovered thanks to an undercover mission," Maradona revealed.
The drug operation at the apartment unit that the drug ring used for storing drugs was conducted by personnel of the Kalideres police precinct and West Jakarta Metropolitan Police.
Two of the apprehended suspects, MTO and WNR, worked as the apartment unit's security guards, while R, RS, and EE planned to trade the crystal meth packages ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday season, Maradona informed.
"They (planned to) benefit from the coronavirus pandemic situation to supply the drugs and trade them ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday season," he said.
West Jakarta Metropolitan Police will continue its war on drugs amid the enforcement of large-scale social restrictions in Jakarta, which have been implemented to break the chain coronavirus transmission, he added.
"Our mission is making Jakarta a zero-drug city," Maradona stated.
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 daily 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.
In the face of the grave threat posed by drug lords, on December 5, 2019, BNN Chief Commissioner General Heru Winarko had met with Security Minister Mahfud MD to discuss matters pertaining to Indonesia's war on drugs, including the need to execute death row convicts.
"Capital punishment is part of the laws that should be imposed," Winarko had stated following his meeting with the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Devi NSR, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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