The suspects, identified by their initials as Am (33), SB (35), Ai (25), and An (45), were all residents of Tanah Jambo Aye sub-district, North Aceh district, Aceh province.
The network of drug couriers was uncovered following the arrest of Am and SB, chief of the North Aceh Police Precinct's Criminal Investigation Unit, Adjunct Coms.Darmawanto, said in a press statement received by ANTARA here on Wednesday.
Am and SB were arrested after traffic policemen stopped their motorbike in Matang Bugak neighborhood of Tanah Jambo Aye sub-district and found 1.36 grams of crystal methamphetamine on them, he informed.
The two other suspects were arrested a few hours later. Police found about 1.5 kg of the 1.6 kg crystal meth concealed under the roots of a coconut tree near Ai's house, he said.
The suspects have been placed under police custody for further investigation, while a manhunt has been launched for another suspect, identified as A, who is believed to be the owner of the crystal meth packages, he added.
Aceh is among the Indonesian provinces that remain vulnerable to drug crimes. There have been attempts to smuggle crystal methamphetamine into Aceh from Malaysia for trade inside and outside the province. Local drug offenders have also been caught cultivating marijuana.
On October 22, 2020, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN)-Aceh Office destroyed 3.5 hectares of marijuana plantation on a mountain slope in Lamteuba area of Aceh Besar district.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers view Indonesia as a potential market owing to its huge population and millions of drug users.
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.
Over the past few decades, the Indonesian government has taken harsh punitive action against drug barons found smuggling and trading drugs in the country.
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has 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 vigil against them. (INE)
Related news: Drug hauls point to burgeoning drug problem in Aceh: police
Related news: East Aceh Court hands down death sentence to drug smuggler
EDITED BY INE
Translator: M.Haris SA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
