"(The) destroyed (drugs) is the result of (operations) from May until now," BNN deputy for drug eradication, Inspector General Kenedy, said at a press conference on the destruction of narcotics evidence here Tuesday.
The destroyed methamphetamine and marijuana were seized during 15 operations, including 13 cases handled by the BNN and 2 cases reported by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport cargo handlers.
Drugs confiscated during the two operations at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s cargo section were smuggled in heavy machinery and a water filter from Africa and Thailand, Kenedy said, adding that international syndicates were involved in the two cases.
Before the drugs were destroyed, the BNN set aside 189.03 grams of methamphetamine and 73 grams of marijuana to be used for laboratory examination and as court evidence, he informed.
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He also revealed that based on joint research conducted by the BNN and the National Research and Innovation Agency, most drug users belong to the productive age group of 15–59 years.
He said that the number of drug users has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic: drug users accounted for 1.8 percent of the total population in 2019, and their proportion increased to 1.95 percent in 2022.
"The increase is only at 0.15 percent, but it is still an increase," the agency official said.
Aceh, Riau, and parts of North Sumatra are among the major entry points for drug distribution in Indonesia, Kenedy added.
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Translator: Fitra Ashari, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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