I have asked the Propam chief to conduct an ethics hearing, which may end with a dishonorable dischargeJakarta (ANTARA) - National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has ordered the police’s Internal Affairs Division (Propam) to question Inspector General Teddy Minahasa to identify potential ethics breaches in relation to the drug trafficking case against him.
"I have asked the Propam chief to conduct an ethics hearing, which may end with a dishonorable discharge," he informed here on Friday.
Police investigators have probed Minahasa's alleged involvement in the case and placed him in custody, he said, adding that two other police officers are also reportedly involved in the case.
They comprise a chief brigadier and a commissioner, Prabowo said.
The police investigation has also resulted in the arrest of a drug dealer. His arrest revealed the alleged involvement of a senior police commissioner who was formerly posted at the Bukittinggi police precinct, he added.
Before being assigned to replace Insp.Gen.Nico Afinta as the East Java police chief, based on the police chief's letter No.ST/2134/X/KEP/2022 dated October 10, 2022, Minahasa headed the West Sumatra police.
Due to the drug case, Prabowo said he had revoked his decision and appointed someone else to lead East Java police.
According to the Jakarta metropolitan police, Minahasa was allegedly involved in the illegal trade of around five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
At least 1.7 kg of the drug package was traded in Kampung Bahari, while around 3.3 kg was confiscated by police, director of the Jakarta Police's Narcotics Division Sen.Coms.Mukti Juharsa revealed.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as a significant number of its working-age population has become trapped in a vicious cycle of drug abuse.
According to a report by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), at least 50 Indonesians die of drug use daily in the country. However, this statistic has failed to deter drug use in the country.
The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs come from different communities and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
In February 2021, for instance, West Java Police's Internal Affairs Division (Propam) arrested 12 police officers for allegedly consuming narcotics.
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 the 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: Laily R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
