Ganja plants discovered

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Police in Banda Aceh have arrested 13 people believed to be members of a syndicate which operates huge marijuana plantations in the province, Antara reported yesterday.

Most of the marijuana plants were found on the slopes of steep forested hills which were sighted from police helicopters, Aceh police force spokesman Captain Budi Astuti told the news agency.

The police operation uncovered more than 17,000 ganja plants and seized over 64,000 kg of wet ganja, Budi said.

The syndicate employs poor farmers to help plant and transport marijuana plants, paying them small sums and then reaping large profits, the police spokesman said. (emb)