The suspects, identified as RP, 40, and AK, 45, had run the clandestine lab from a house in Sukajadi Village, Cibinong Sub-district, over the past two months before their arrest on Thursday (Nov 7).
The police continue to investigate the case to search for those helping the suspects run the clandestine lab and sell the synthetic tobacco, Chief of the Cianjur Police Narcotics Unit Adjunct Coms Septian Pratama remarked.
Speaking to journalists here last Friday, he further noted that 10 kilograms of synthetic tobacco were sold at Rp1.5 billion while the suspects' targeted markets included Jakarta, Cianjur, and several other areas in West Java.
Before being arrested, the suspects sold one kilogram of synthetic tobacco that they produced at Rp150 million to a drug lord and funder from outside Cianjur District, Pratama remarked.
Hence, the Cianjur police investigators continue their efforts to uncover the suspects' drug syndicate, he added.
As reported earlier, Indonesia remains vulnerable to national and transnational drug trafficking operations.
On July 18, 2024, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) raided a clandestine laboratory on Bali Island, which was found producing dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic drug.
During the raid, BNN officers arrested three Filipinos and hunted down a Jordanian citizen, identified as AMI. The Filipinos were identified by their initials as DAS, a 28-year-old man; PMS, DAS' mother; and DOS, DAS' sister.
Drug lords still perceive Indonesia 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 about Rp66 trillion (around US$4.3 billion).
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Translator: Ahmad F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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