The apprehended suspects were identified by their initials as IN (19), AL (31), and RW (27), Mandailing Natal Police chief, Adjunct Sen.Coms. Horas Tua Silalahi, told local journalists on Wednesday.
They were arrested after cops found 26 sacks containing 570 kg of marijuana on a truck parked on the roadside in Maga Lombang village, he informed.
The suspects told police investigators that they were hired by a marijuana dealer, identified by his initials as F, to take the drug consignment to Jakarta by truck through the Trans-Sumatra highway, Silalahi said.
F, a resident of Huta Bangun village of Panyabungan Timur sub-district, Mandailing Natal district, North Sumatra, who is currently absconding, promised to pay the suspects Rp50 million if they successfully delivered the package, he added.
The suspects are currently in police custody for further investigation.
Domestic and trans-national drug dealers perceive Indonesia as a potential market owing to its vast population and millions of drug users. The drug trade in the nation is valued at nearly Rp66 trillion.
Statistics show people from all strata of society are falling prey to drugs in the country, regardless of socio-economic and professional backgrounds.
The Indonesian government has taken harsh punitive action against drug kingpins found smuggling and trading drugs over the past few decades.
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has even sought capital punishment for those involved in the drug trade.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.
However, this has failed to deter drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as a main market, prompting Indonesian law enforcers to step up vigilance against them.
In view of the real threat posed by both domestic and trans-national drug rings in the country, police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has been urged to continue the harsh crackdown on them.
Andi Rio Idris Padjalangi, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), which oversees legal affairs, said he has appealed to Prabowo to maintain the National Police's good synergy with BNN and other related agencies.
The National Police need also continue improving infrastructure and equipment needed for the fight against drug crimes, Padjalangi said. (INE)
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Translator: Nur ABS, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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