Drug cases on the rise in South Kalimantan

Drug cases on the rise in South Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The chief of South Kalimantan
Police, Brig. Gen. Dody Sumantyawan, acknowledged on Wednesday
that the number of reported drug cases in the province had soared
by 96 percent in 2003. In 2002, the number of drug cases reported
was 133, but as of Dec. 31, 2003 it reached 261 cases.

The increased number of drug cases was a result of a greater
number of traffickers who has set up operations in the area, he
said.

Meanwhile, of the 261 cases, the police force has arrested 183
suspects, in which three of them were police personnel
themselves. Most of the drug cases occurred in the South
Kalimantan capital of Banjarmasin.

Dody promised that the police force would intensify operations
in 2004 to limit drug trafficking. -- Antara