Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Police in South Kalimantan have confiscated 44.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and nearly 25,000 ecstasy pills from a trafficking network allegedly tied to international drug kingpin Fredy Pratama.

The bust, valued at 91.7 billion rupiah ($5.6 million), involved two separate operations in late October and early November, officials said Wednesday.

Three suspects — identified as SB, WC, and ED — were arrested for transporting the drugs into Banjarmasin via West and Central Kalimantan.

The first raid on October 31 uncovered 27 kilograms of meth and 24,928 ecstasy pills hidden in a vehicle.

The second, on November 1 resulted in the seizure of another 17.4 kilograms of meth.

All suspects hail from outside the province — Lampung, Bojonegoro (East Java), and Pekanbaru (Riau) — and are believed to be part of Pratama’s syndicate operating across Kalimantan.

Police say the suspects will be charged under Indonesia’s 2009 Narcotics Law, which carries penalties of life imprisonment or death.

“Eradicating narcotics is our shared responsibility. The police cannot work alone without public support,” said South Kalimantan Police Spokesperson Senior Commissioner Adam Erwindi.

Despite harsh penalties, Indonesia remains vulnerable to drug trafficking.

The National Narcotics Agency estimates the domestic drug market at $4.3 billion, with 3.4 million users nationwide.

In a separate case, a 21-year-old Ukrainian woman was arrested in Bali on August 3 for allegedly smuggling nearly two kilograms of synthetic drugs from Poland.


Translator: Firman, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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