Military finds marijuana field

JAKARTA: A military platoon discovered a marijuana plantation during a routine patrol in the Aceh district of Seulimeum, in Aceh Besar regency.

The Indonesian Military said in a statement the plantation, covering two kilometers, was operated by the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Several alleged GAM members who were guarding the plantation became involved in a firefight with the soldiers before being arrested. Soldiers also found a hand grenade and marijuana seeds.

A military spokesman in Aceh, Lt. Col. Erie Soetiko, said GAM was growing and selling marijuana to fund its armed movement. Earlier, a group of Air Force elite troops discovered hectares of marijuana plants near Malikul Saleh airport in Lhokseumawe. -- Antara