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Indonesia arrests nearly 300 in drug crackdown

Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.

Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesian authorities have arrested 285 individuals, including foreigners, in a major drug trafficking operation, seizing about 683.9 kg of drugs.

The two-month campaign, conducted across 20 provinces, also uncovered money-laundering schemes and led to the confiscation of assets valued at approximately 26 billion IDR (about 1.5 million USD).

National Narcotics Agency head Marthinus Hukom revealed the crackdown was carried out from April to June.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said that Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.

In a separate bust, authorities in Riau Islands confiscated an additional 2.7 tonnes of crystal meth and 1.2 tonnes of ketamine during May.

In 2024, drug-related offences rose further, with 56,000 cases, 7.5 tonnes of crystal meth, and 3.3 tonnes of marijuana confiscated — valued at 7.5 trillion IDR (around 455 million USD). By November 2024, over 27,000 suspects had been arrested./.

VNA
#Indonesia #drug trafficking #United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime #Riau Islands Indonesia
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