Indonesia destroys over two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine
Indonesian authorities on May 4 destroyed more than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine as the country has stepped up its drugs crackdown in one of the biggest operations in recent years.
Indonesian police and drugs agency members display packs of methamphetamine before 2.6 tonnes of which were destroyed by the authorities in Jakarta on May 4, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Bay Ismoyo)
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesian authorities on May 4 destroyed more thantwo tonnes of crystal methamphetamine as the country has stepped up its drugs crackdownin one of the biggest operations in recent years.
The crystal meth had been seized from foreign-registered ships in two separateoperations in Indonesia’s territorial waters near Singapore earlier this year.Four Taiwanese and four Chinese crew members were arrested.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla witnessed the destruction of the crystal methin the capital city of Jakarta.
Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-narcotics laws, andimposes the death penalty for trafficking. The country has made combatingnarcotics a top priority and resumed the execution of traffickers in 2015 afteran unofficial hiatus.
Eighteen convicted drug smugglers, including 15 foreigners, have been sentto the firing squad under President Joko Widodo. Last month, eight Taiwanesedrug smugglers were sentenced to death.
President Widodo has repeatedly defended his tough stance, claimingIndonesia is facing a "drugs emergency" and must act to protect thenext generation.
According to the national narcotics agency, there were about six milliondrug users in Indonesia in 2016 out of a total population of 260 million.-VNA
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Indonesian police and drugs agency members display packs of methamphetamine before 2.6 tonnes of which were destroyed by the authorities in Jakarta on May 4, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Bay Ismoyo) 
