Banyuasin Official's Son Named Suspect in Drug Case

TEMPO.CO, Palembang - The police in Banyuasin District, South Sumatra Province, have named Sigit Tri, the son of the district's deputy head, as a suspect in a drug case following his recent arrest for allegedly consuming crystal meth. The 36-year-old Tri was apprehended along with his friend, Indra Yani, 34, in a raid, while they were enjoying a drug party at the district government guest house on November 25, Banyuasin Police Chief Adjunct Sen. Coms Danny Sianipar said on Friday.

"The two suspects tested positive for crystal meth. This case is being handled by police investigators," he said, adding that the antidrug squad personnel seized several items as evidence.

Among the confiscated items was crystal meth, three straws, a bong for inhaling the drug, four matches, a plastic clip, and four needles.

The police investigators also nabbed two suspects only identified by their initials AD and E who supplied crystal meth or sabu-sabu to Tri, son of Banyuasin District's Deputy Head H. Slamet, he said.

AD and E were arrested at a rubber plantation in Galang Tinggi Village, Banyuasin District, on November 28.

Tri told investigators that he had been using drugs over the past year because he was frustrated over personal problems after the death of his mother.

"I am so sorry and apologize for what I did, especially to my father," he said.

Both Tri and Indra have been charged under sections of Indonesia's drug law number 35/2009 that could mean four to 12 years in jail.

Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been embroiled in a vicious circle.

According to the National Narcotics Agency's report, some 50 drug use-related deaths occur in Indonesia. However, their deaths have failed to deter other drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.

Users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other addictive drugs transcend communities and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Hence, Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its huge population and millions of drug users. The value of the drug trade in the country is estimated at nearly Rp66 trillion.

In response to the illicit drugs that drug kingpins have smuggled into and traded in the country over the past few decades, the Indonesian government continues to apply punitive measures against them.

Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, had also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.

However, this has failed to dissuade drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as one of their main markets even as Indonesian law enforcers continue their relentless fight against them.