More soldiers fired for drugs

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Two soldiers and a staff official with the province's Bukit Barisan Military Command were dishonorably discharged from the military on Monday for their involvement in drug trafficking.

Bukit Barisan military commander Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo presided over a special ceremony at the headquarters' compound in Medan to mark the dismissal of the three officers, none of whom will be reported to the police.

The two discharged soldiers were Chief Pvt. Julham Riadi and First Pvt. Irvan Meiwan, while the dismissed civil servant was Lamrita Ginting, an official at the command's secretariat.

Tri Tamtomo said the three were fired because of their roles in illegal drug peddling -- believed to be cannabis.

"Despite whatever economic reasons they had, they have misused their positions to commit a crime. Any military officer or civil servant from the Bukit Barisan Cilitary Command involved in drug cases will face similar punishment," Tri warned.

He added that at least 70 other soldiers from the regional command have in the past year been dismissed for drug trafficking. It is not clear if the law enforcement authorities have charged any of them with a criminal drug offense. --JP