Regional BNN offices established

Regional BNN offices established

JAKARTA: The government issued on Monday a joint decree on the
establishment of regional offices of the National Narcotics
Agency (BNN) as part of nationwide efforts to curb drug
trafficking.

Signed by Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, State
Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamim and National
Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, the decree requires each
province and regency/municipality to set up branch offices of the
agency.

"Through this decree we hope to strengthen our efforts against
drug trafficking. We urge regional governments to immediately
comply with the decree," Da'i said.

The agency has the authority to investigation and arrest drug
traffickers and users.

Indonesia has been struggling to curb drug trafficking,
especially since the country has emerged not only as a market but
also a producer in past years. Recently, the government
established the country's first prison solely for drug-related
criminals here in the capital.--Antara.