The agency's investigators have named them as suspects, Head of BNN-Southeast Sulawesi Office's Law Enforcement Division, Sen.Coms.Muhammad Santoso, said here on Friday.
The suspects, identified as WW, AL, AH, and HS, told BNN investigators that the crystal meth and cannabis packages were obtained from their networks in Aceh province.
WW was arrested on July 11, 2023, while getting 923 kg of marijuana delivered through a courier service. AL was nabbed in connection with a package containing 1.9 kg of marijuana, which was also delivered through a courier service.
A week later, on July 18, AH and HS were caught at a hotel with 1.9 kg of crystal meth, he added.
ANTARA has reported earlier how Indonesia is perceived by both local and transnational drug dealers as a potential market because of its huge population and millions of drug users.
The value of the drug trade in the country is estimated to be at least Rp66 trillion.
A joint survey conducted by BNN and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) recorded over 3.4 million drug users in the country in 2019.
The survey, which was conducted in 34 provinces, indicated that about 180 out of every 10 thousand Indonesians in the 15–64 age group were addicted to drugs.
The government is well aware of the alarming threat of drug abuse and addiction.
Since his first leadership term, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has been reminding the nation of the grave impact of drug consumption.
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Translator: Deden S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
