At that moment, most of the crew also admitted to consuming it.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) have synergized efforts to strengthen the prevention of drug trafficking in the nation's marine and fisheries sector.
"The Directorate General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) along with several agencies signed the cooperation agreement as a commitment and support to prevent drug trafficking and abuse," Director General of PSDKP at the ministry Rear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin stated in a press release here on Tuesday.
The agreement was signed simultaneously with the opening ceremony for the integrated interdiction operations in Batam City, Riau Islands Province, on September 14, 2021.
The director general acknowledged the fact that the marine and fisheries sector was also susceptible to drug trafficking.
Related news: East Aceh now national center for vannamei shrimp farming
Hence, Nurawaluddin emphasized that his side will continue to synergize with BNN through this collaboration to safeguard the marine and fisheries sector from drug dealers and users.
"The point of this collaboration is to protect the marine and fisheries sector from the risks of drug trafficking," he stated.
In line with Nurawaluddin's statement, Director of Fleet Monitoring and Operations at the ministry Pung Nugroho Saksono noted that his side had gathered some information on fishing businesses suspected of being involved in drug trafficking.
For instance, the ministry and the Gorontalo Provincial BNN team had seized the Motor Vessel Putra Bahari IV on August 4, 2021, as it was suspected of being involved in narcotics trafficking and several crew members were allegedly consuming narcotics, he stated.
Related news: Ministry seeks full utilization of marine resources potential
"Currently, most of the crew also admitted to consuming it," he remarked.
Moreover, he ensured that his side will continue to coordinate with the BNN to prevent and eradicate drug trafficking in the marine and fisheries sector.
The cooperation agreement on the implementation of integrated sea interdiction operations aims to prevent and eradicate abuse and illicit trafficking of narcotics and narcotics precursors.
It was inked on September 14, 2021, by five agencies: the Directorate General of PSDKP at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Deputy for Eradication at the BNN, Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Finance Ministry, Directorate General of Sea Transportation at the Transportation Ministry, as well as the Water and Air Police Corps at the Security Maintenance Agency of the National Police.
Related news: Rimbun Air plane found at 2,400-meter altitude in Bilogai
Related news: Rimbun Air plane lost contact during Nabire-Sugapa flight
Translator: Razi Rahman, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
