East Timor a future drug paradise?

East Timor a future drug paradise?

Indonesia has a law on narcotics and psychotropic drugs and
has ratified the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961. It
means that besides having a law to protect its people from the
danger of narcotics and illegal psychotropic drugs, it also has
the obligation to prevent illegal exports of narcotics and
psychotropic products to other countries. It applies to
domestically produced narcotics like ganja and cannabis and
narcotics and psychotropic products smuggled into Indonesia from
other countries.

In the next five years, it is predicted that East Timor will
become a paradise for illegal trading of narcotics and
psychotropic products.

It is highly possible to plant opium (papaver somniferum),
coca (erythro-xylon coca) and ganja (cannabis indica/sativa) in
East Timor. Narcotics such as heroin and psychotropic products
like amphetamines and their derivatives will enter East Timor to
be smuggled into Indonesia or Australia.

The question is who will oversee efforts to stop distribution
of narcotics and psychotropic products. What measures will be
taken against people who trade in or plant ganja in the region?

At present, Indonesia and Australia do not need to worry about
the possibility of drug smuggling because troops from the United
Nations International Force for East Timor (Interfet), with their
strong purchasing power, will be the main target of the drug
dealers.

My suggestion is that Indonesia's law enforcers keep alert to
the possibility of these prohibited goods entering Indonesia via
East Timor.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO

Jakarta