Police pledge to fight against illegal drug trade<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police said yesterday that they will continue
\nwith their massive operation against discotheques, pubs, motels
\nand other places suspected of illegal drug and sex transactions.<\/p>\n
\"The operation will be carried out the whole year,\" National
\nPolice deputy chief for operational affairs, Maj. Gen. M.B.
\nHutagalung, said after opening a photo exhibition on police
\nservice.<\/p>\n
The recent raids on various discotheques and motels in the
\ncity have sparked protests from both visitors to the places and
\ntheir owners, who say the operations have disturbed business and
\ndriven away customers.<\/p>\n
They also said the number of armed police and military
\npersonnel that have been deployed is excessive.<\/p>\n
\"Should we examine everybody coming into the discotheque in
\norder to make sure that no drug transactions take place here?\"
\ncomplained one of the owners.<\/p>\n
Others claim that the raids have been conducted in a brutal
\nmanner, with some officers pointing their guns at the owners and
\nvisitors before searching their bodies for drugs.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment, Hutagalung said that the main mission
\nof the raids is to meet the public's demand that the city's young
\npeople be protected from drugs.<\/p>\n
\"Our duty is to serve the public,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The need for numerous armed personnel is to reduce the
\npossibility of suspects escaping, he said.<\/p>\n
\"It wouldn't be rational to deploy 10 officers in big crowds
\nas the suspects could easily get away,\" Hutagalung said.<\/p>\n
In recent operations, at least 100 uniformed officers, not
\nincluding dozens of plainclothes police, have been deployed to
\nsearch guests at the establishments, most of which have a
\ncapacity of between 5,000 and 15,000.<\/p>\n
However, said the two-star general, the police are open to
\nsuggestions as to how they can improve the procedures.<\/p>\n
\"We're open to criticism,\" he said. \"Just come to us and we'll
\ntalk and try to find a more effective way.\"<\/p>\n
He added that the proprietors should also lend a hand to help
\nthe police reduce the number of drug transactions, especially
\nEcstasy.<\/p>\n
\"If they know Ecstasy is being used and sold at their places,
\nthey should not remain silent,\" Hutagalung warned.<\/p>\n
In most cases, he said, not only do they keep their mouths
\nclosed, but the owners even seem to open their doors to Ecstasy
\naddicts and traders by serving alcohol and playing house music,
\nwhich are believed to heighten the sensation of the drug.(bsr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-pledge-to-fight-against-illegal-drug-trade-1447893297",
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