TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Metro Police's Narcotics Investigation Directorate thwarted an attempted export of cocaine or coca seeds hidden in finger puppets.

“Usually, there were import cases from abroad, but now it’s an export case. So it's reversed,” said the Jakarta Police Narcotics Unit Director, Sr. Comr. Mukti Juharsa, in his office, Friday, August 5, 2022.

Mukti said this case showed that apart from cannabis plants, coca trees could also grow in certain regions of Indonesia. “We can't say [the location] yet because the investigation is still underway. There may be other trees in the area,” he said.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Endra Zulpan said one suspect identified as SDS, 51, was arrested on Monday, August 1, 2022, in Bandung. The police seized 200 cocaine seeds, three coca trees, a finger puppet used to hide the coca seeds, and a package of coca seeds returned from the Czech Republic.

The suspect, Zulpan said, sold coca seeds online. However, he stopped short of detailing the case for investigation purposes. “Investigators have already obtained the information,” he added.

The coca seeds export destination include the United States, Australia, and countries in Europe. The suspect sold a package containing 25 pieces of cocaine for US$40. The suspect exported five to seven packages of cocaine seeds abroad in one month.

“The suspect is subject to Article 114 subsidiary Article 113 subsidiary Article 111 of Law No. 35/2009 concerning Narcotics,” said Zulpan.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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