Police search for marijuana salesman

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Jeneponto police are searching for Is, 32, a vegetable vendor at Pasar Terong, who allegedly has been selling marijuana plants.

The case surfaced after residents of Jeneponto regency, some 200 kilometers north of here, found on Saturday a half hectare at Sunggumanai hill planted with some 165 marijuana plants.

The landowner, identified only as Muh, 35, who is still in police custody, pleaded innocent, saying that he thought the plants were teak when he bought them from Is.

According to Jeneponto Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tigor H. Situmorang, police also found at the hill a place to cultivate the plants.

"The plants were burned by residents on Tuesday," Tigor said on Wednesday, adding that police have yet to determine whether the case involves a large network or not. (27/hdn)