The seized drugs comprise 217.44 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 801.48 kg of cannabis, 18 thousand ecstasy pills, and 1.37 kg of Gorilla tobacco, Jakarta Metropolitan Police chief, Insp.Gen.Fadil Imran, said.
The drugs were confiscated from 24 suspected drug dealers and couriers in connection with nine cases of domestic and trans-national drug crimes, he added.
Imran said his men will continue hunting down drug offenders amid the coronavirus pandemic because drug-trafficking has been categorized as an extraordinary crime.
The Jakarta Metropolitan Police also support endeavors to make Jakarta a drug-free city, he said, adding that continuing the collective war on drugs is aimed at saving the future of Indonesia's younger generation.
Indonesian capital Jakarta remains vulnerable to drug trade.
On January 22, 2021, West Jakarta Metropolitan Police thwarted a 22-year-old drug courier's attempt to deliver a crystal meth package.
The suspect, identified by his initials as S, was arrested in the Kapuk Muara neighborhood, Penjaringan sub-district, North Jakarta, chief of the West Jakarta Police Narcotics Unit, Adjunct Sen.Coms.Ronaldo Maradona Siregar, said.
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.
People from all strata of society are falling prey to drugs in the country regardless of their socio-economic and professional backgrounds.
The Indonesian government has taken harsh punitive action against drug kingpins found smuggling and trading drugs in the country over the past few decades.
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has even sought capital punishment for those involved in drug trade in the country.
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.
Aware of the real threats posed by both domestic and trans-national drug rings in the country, Indonesia's new national police chief, Com.Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has been urged to continue the harsh crackdown against them.
Andi Rio Idris Padjalangi, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), which oversees legal affairs, has said he has appealed to Prabowo to maintain the National Police's good synergy with BNN and other related agencies.
The National Police need to also continue improving infrastructure and equipment needed for the fight against drug crimes, Padjalangi said. (INE)
Related news: Police arrest young drug courier in North Jakarta
Related news: Central Jakarta police seize 1.1 kg of crystal meth
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
