The first suspect, identified as SBA or B, was arrested on Sunday (August 17) in a hotel room on Jalan Sunter Agung Utara Raya in Tanjung Priok. Officers found 675 ecstasy pills at the scene.
During questioning, SBA admitted he had received the drugs from another man, identified as MH or J, Cilincing Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Bobi Subasri told reporters here Wednesday.
Police then coordinated with local authorities in North Sumatra and arrested MH at a rented house in Medan, North Sumatra, Subasri said.
Both men are being held under Indonesia’s tough narcotics law. If convicted, they could face life in prison or the death penalty under Articles 114(2) and 112(2) of Law No. 35/2009.
Police said the confiscated drugs were packed in two plastic bags: one containing 485 pills weighing 179.68 grams, and another with 190 pills weighing 73.32 grams. Officers also seized a bag, a mobile phone, an ATM card, and a bank book.
"Both suspects are in custody, and we have secured a total of 675 ecstasy pills," Subasri said.
As reported earlier, Indonesia remains a major target for drug traffickers, who see the country as a profitable market due to its large population and millions of users.
Authorities estimate the value of Indonesia’s illegal drug trade at around Rp66 trillion (approximately USD4.3 billion).
This widespread trafficking has fueled a growing drug crisis, posing serious health risks for millions of Indonesians.
A joint survey by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) estimates that 3.4 million people in the country use drugs. The study found that about 180 out of every 10,000 Indonesians aged 15 to 64 are struggling with drug addiction.
LIPI, now become part of the National Research and Innovation Agency/BRIN.
Related news: BNN reports 312,000 young Indonesians involved with drugs
Related news: Minister calls on villagers to fight drug abuse
Translator: Mario SN, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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