Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Two Aceh police officers arrested a drug courier, who had attempted to transport one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine at the Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport on Tuesday.

The airport's employees detected a dubious package inside a backpack during an x-ray check, but after realizing that he had drawn their suspicion, the man attempted to leave the airport.

The suspect rushed out of the airport, but two cops were able to stop him before he could leave the airport's parking area, Aceh Police spokesperson Sen. Coms. Winardy stated.

He did not disclose the suspect's identity and the crystal meth package's destination.

Winardy stated that the suspect and evidence of his drug crime were sent to the Banda Aceh city police precinct for further investigation.

Indonesia remains under serious threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have become trapped in a vicious circle.

The National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report of some 50 Indonesians dying of drug use daily has failed to deter drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.

The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs come from different communities and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

In February 2021, the West Java Police's Propam had placed in detention 12 cops, including the chief of the Astanaanyar district police precinct, on grounds of allegedly consuming a narcotics drug.

Hence, Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its vast population and millions of drug users. The value of drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly at least Rp66 trillion.

In response to the smuggling of illicit drugs by drug kingpins and traded in the country over the past few decades, the Indonesian government continues to apply harsh punitive action against them.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo had also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.

However, this has failed to deter drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as one of their key markets even as Indonesian law enforcers continue their fight against them. Related news: Aceh police arrest 7, seize 4.5kg of drugs
Related news: Aceh's law enforcement apparatus seized 219.87-kg meth in Jan-July




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Translator: M.Haris SA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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