Drug use reported in Spice Islands

Drug use reported in Spice Islands

TERNATE, North Maluku: Distribution of marijuana and Ecstasy
pills has been reported in several night spots in Ternate for the
last couple of months, Antara reported.

In a bid to curb the distribution, North Maluku Police have
set up a special task force in all of the 21 police subprecincts.

"Nowadays there is a growing tendency for youths here to be
involved in drug abuse and drinking," North Maluku Police chief
Lt. Col. Didik Priyandono said, adding that police have seized
1.5 tons of liquor illegally transported to Maluku.

North Maluku Police's Rapid Reaction Unit so far have arrested
four suspected drug dealers in Stadion district, North Ternate.

According to police, the four were caught last Saturday making
a transaction. "Police confiscated dried marijuana put in 10
wrappers during the raid," Didik added. The report did not
mention the volume of each wrapper.

The suspects admitted to have brought 30 packages of
marijuana, 20 of which were sold. (edt)