Police arrest ecstasy producers in Riau<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam<\/p>\n
Police said they had confiscated almost 15,000 ecstasy pills
\nworth more than Rp 500 million and arrested six people suspected
\nof producing and distributing the illegal drugs in Riau province.<\/p>\n
The suspects -- identified as A. Hai, 29; Doni, 22;
\nAhmad, 34; Andi, 20; Surya, 24 and Acing, 44 -- were rounded up
\nlast Friday afternoon in Meral subdistrict of Tanjung Balai
\nKarimun regency.<\/p>\n
"They were the target of operations for the last several
\nmonths... Based on the preliminary probe, they come from
\nPekanbaru, Riau, and were trying to expand (their) business in
\nTanjung Balai Karimun," said Riau Islands District Police chief
\nAdj. Sr. Comr. Agung Sabar Santoso on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said Hai, Doni and Ahmad are being charged with producing
\nthe narcotic, while their three accomplices -- Andi, Surya and
\nAcing -- are accused of distributing the drug.<\/p>\n
Also seized during the raid on Ahmad's house where the ecstasy
\npills were made were manufacturing machines, materials and other
\nequipment necessary for manufacturing the drugs, such as plastics
\npackages and a large bag, as well as a red Escudo car.<\/p>\n
"All the equipment were foreign-made supplies," Agung told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said the suspects admitted they had planned to sell their
\nhomemade ecstasy for Rp 40,000 a pill. Should they have succeeded
\nin selling the 14,726 pills found during the raid, they would
\nhave pocketed more than Rp 589 million.<\/p>\n
The suspects said they needed only Rp 10 million as capital to
\nproduce such a large quantity of pills, Agung added.<\/p>\n
Further, they also confessed that they had the capacity to
\nproduce 500 pills per day, but denied distributing any of the
\npills. It remains unclear when the suspects commenced production,
\nbut Agung said police believe they have operated the illegal
\nbusiness for a long time in Riau.<\/p>\n
"We are tracking down their network to its core to find the
\nsuppliers of the machines and drug-making materials. We have
\nobtained their names," he said.<\/p>\n
The police's success in cracking down on drug dealers in
\nTanjung Balai Karimun has been lauded by members of the local
\nlegislative council, who also urged the security authorities to
\nfully uncover the drug cases and not to be content with a half-
\nhearted effort.<\/p>\n
"The police should not be afraid of (encountering) those
\nbacking up the distribution of drugs. They destroy the nation's
\ngeneration. We support the police for their firm stance in
\ncracking down on drugs," Muhammad Ras, a senior councillor, told
\nthe Post.<\/p>\n
It is common knowledge in Indonesia that many military and
\npolice officers are involved in distributing drugs and other
\nillegal businesses, including brothels and prostitution rings,
\nacross the country.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that these practices are strictly prohibited
\nby the law, security commanders have appeared to be either
\npowerless or reluctant to take stern measures against rogue
\nsubordinates.<\/p>\n
Muhammad said the people of Tanjung Bali Karimun were worried
\nabout the distribution of ecstasy pills and other illegal drugs,
\nas entertainment facilities there have supported the growth of
\nthe business.<\/p>\n
A case in point, he said, was the city's Ozon discotheque, the
\nlargest nightclub on the island of Sumatra. The legislator
\naccused the discotheque of playing a role in facilitating the
\ndevelopment of drug deals and spread of prostitution in the
\nregency.<\/p>\n
"We will ask the Balai Tanjung Karimun regent to review the
\noperational licenses of the discotheques. If they pose more
\ndangers than goodness, it should better be shut down," Muhammad
\nadded.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-arrest-ecstasy-producers-in-riau-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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