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)