The suspects are involved in eight drug-related cases, and the police confiscated more than 1.2 kg of crystal methamphetamine from themPalangka Raya, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Central Kalimantan police confiscated at least 1.2 kilograms (kg) of crystal meth and arrested nine suspects during Operation Antik Telabang conducted by local cops on September 5-29.
The suspected drug traffickers were apprehended in Palangka Raya City and Kotawaringin Timur District, Director of Central Kalimantan Police's Narcotics Division Sen. Coms. Nono Wardoyo stated.
"The suspects are involved in eight drug-related cases, and the police confiscated more than 1.2 kg of crystal methamphetamine from them," he told local journalists here Thursday.
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Through the Operation Antik Telabang, cops were able to thwart their attempt to trade the drug they obtained from Pontianak and Banjarmasin in several cities around Central Kalimantan, he remarked.
The suspects are charged with Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics under which they can be sentenced to at least five years in prison, or life imprisonment, or death penalty, he stated.
The suspects could also be required to pay a fine of Rp1 billion or Rp10 billion, he remarked.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have become trapped in a vicious cycle of drug abuse.
According to a report by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) report, at least 50 Indonesians die of drug use daily in the country. However, this statistic has failed to deter drug use in the country.
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The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs come from different communities and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
In April this year, a joint team of police and customs and excise personnel thwarted an international drug ring's attempt to smuggle 169 kg of crystal meth into Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province.
According to Director of the Aceh Police Criminal Investigation Directorate Senior Commissioner Ruddi Setiawan, the suspects belong to a Middle Eastern-Aceh drug syndicate.
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 Rp66 trillion.
In response to the smuggling of illicit drugs by drug kingpins over the past few decades, the Indonesian government has continued to apply harsh punitive action against them.
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Translator: Adi W, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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