At least 800,000 Indonesians may be spared from drug abuse after Jambi police arrested two drug couriers, identified only as I and RR, attempting to transport 200 kilograms of dried marijuana to Java Island.
The suspects were caught on the evening of Saturday, July 12, as they drove a minibus carrying six black plastic bags containing the marijuana. The vehicle was intercepted in Jambi City during the delivery route from Riau to Java.
Senior Commissioner Boy Sutan Binanga Siregar, Jambi City Police Chief, revealed that the arrest followed intelligence-led operations tracking the suspects’ movements. Police also discovered a GPS device hidden in one of the bags, believed to be used by the drug lord to monitor the delivery.
According to Commissioner Siregar, one gram of dried cannabis can be consumed by four people. Thus, confiscating 200 kilograms could prevent about 800,000 potential drug users from falling into addiction.
Suspects I and RR face charges under Indonesia’s Narcotics Law No. 35 of 2009, specifically Articles 114 (2), 111 (2), and 132 (1), which carry penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death sentence.
Indonesia continues to be a prime target for international drug syndicates, given its large population and growing number of drug users. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) reports approximately 3.3 million drug addicts nationwide, with drug smuggling causing an economic loss of Rp500 trillion.
