TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police conducted a search of cocaine plants in Bogor Botanical Gardens as a follow-up to the case of coca seed trafficking. According to the suspect identified as SDS, 51, he got the seeds from the public garden.

“The tree died in 2022 and it had a permit. When we checked it yesterday, we saw that it had withered, dead,” said Head of Sub-Directorate III of the Narcotics Investigation Directorate, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Danang Setiyo Pambudi to reporters, Thursday, August 11, 2022.

The suspect, said Danang, graduated from the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB). The police also found coca trees in Lembang based on SDS’ statement.

Director of Narcotics Investigation Senior Commissioner Mukti Juharsa said the coca tree found in Lembang had been used for research since 1978. “We have checked it with the authorities in Lembang, it is true that it is for research, starting from 1978 until now. It (the permit) is still valid,” he explained.

Previously, the Metro Jaya Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Endra Zulpan reported that SDS was arrested on Monday, August 1, 2022, in Bandung for attempting to export cocaine seeds and trees hidden inside finger puppets.

The police seized a number of pieces of evidence including 200 cocaine seeds, three coca trees, finger puppets, and a package of coca seeds returned from the Czech Republic.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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