"We just educated the local officials and people about khat, because the plants were brought from overseas," Inspector General Benny Mamoto of BNN said in Cisarua, Bogor, on Thursday, after witnessing the destruction of khat plants found in local farmers` crops.
The agency`s officers destroyed the khat plants in Cisarua and erected banners informing the public of the dangers of the khat plants and their prohibition in Indonesia.
Mamoto said that khat plants contain chatinone which places it under the classification of narcotics under Law No.35/2009.
He said that he understood many of the locals did not know about the effects of khat plants, which are new for most of the Indonesians.
Khat planting, cultivating and trading are prohibited and those found to be planting khat, may face four to five years imprisonment, Mamoto stated.
"We will make coordination with the local administrations and police to supervise the khat ban," he said.
The anti-illicit drugs agency is making an investigation to find the suppliers of khat into Indonesia.
(S035/F001)
Editor: Maryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
