Many empty prison cells are available (at the Nusakambangan Penitentiary) for themSemarang, C Java (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Legal and Human Rights Ministry hinted its support for transferring convicted drug dealers and producers to the maximum-security prison in Cilacap District's Nusakambangan Island since it has adequate number of vacant prison cells.
"Many empty prison cells are available (at the Nusakambangan Penitentiary) for them," Head of the Legal and Human Rights Ministry-Central Java Office Priyadi noted in a press statement that ANTARA quoted here Wednesday.
Those empty prison cells were reserved for the Human Rights Ministry’s officials involved in drug offenses, he noted, adding that his office supports the National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) war on drugs.
Owing to its status as Indonesia's maximum-security prison, one inmate will be placed in each prison cell at the Nusakambangan Penitentiary, he revealed.
In Central Java Province, some 5,678 of at least 11 thousand inmates are serving prison terms at various penitentiaries for drug offenses, he remarked.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers view Indonesia as a potential market on account of its huge population and millions of drug users. Drug trade in the nation is valued at nearly Rp66 trillion.
People from all sections of society are falling prey to drugs, regardless of socio-economic and professional backgrounds.
The drug crisis has also engulfed those from the country's entertainment industry, as is apparent from the arrests of several entertainers over consumption and also trade of illicit drugs.
In the face of the grave threat posed by drug lords, National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Commissioner General Heru Winarko sought capital punishment for those involved in drug trade in the country.
National Police Chief General Idham Azis recently highlighted that district courts in different parts of Indonesia had awarded capital punishment to at least 100 drug offenders in the first half of 2020.
"May they soon be executed by firing squads to deter others," he stressed while bearing witness to the National Police special task force’s move to destroy 1.2 tons of crystal methamphetamine, 35 thousand ecstasy pills, and 410 kilograms of marijuana in Jakarta on July 2, 2020.
Related news: Jakarta police uncovered 2,849 drug cases during Jan-early Aug 2020
Related news: Six held for allegedly smuggling drugs in cargo truck
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Immanuel CS, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
