Aceh to get rid of marijuana

Aceh to get rid of marijuana

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A police operation to free Aceh, the
northern most province on the island of Sumatra, of marijuana
will continue in 1997, chief of the Aceh Police Col. Suwahyu said
here Tuesday.

In a year-end press conference, he said plantations of
cannabis in the province were frequently developed by outsiders.
"Unless the operation continues, Aceh will earn the reputation of
being a cannabis center," he said.

During 1996, police burned plantations and launched a drive to
persuade community and religious leaders to educate people about
the ill-effects of cannabis.

Aceh police foiled last week an attempt to smuggle 12 kg of
pressed marijuana to the nearby province of North Sumatra.
Overall, police foiled attempts to traffic a total of 90 kg of
cannabis, Suwahyu said.

No less than 33 persons suspected of planting, trafficking and
using cannabis were apprehended in 1996. (swe)