Latest news with #Marthinus
The Star
28-05-2025
- The Star
Narcotics agency, police foil largest drug smuggling attempt in Indonesian history
Indonesian Navy personnel inspecting packages of methamphetamine at Batam Customs Port, Riau Islands, on May 26. - Antara JAKARTA: Authorities recently foiled an attempt to smuggle two tonnes of methamphetamine into the country, marking the largest drug seizure in the nation's history. A joint task force from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Police and the Indonesian Military seized the illicit drugs aboard a ship named Sea Dragon Tarawa in the waters off the Riau Islands last week. The vessel was intercepted as it sailed from the Andaman Sea toward Indonesian waters in Riau Islands Province. During the raid, authorities uncovered 67 boxes containing 2,000 packages of methamphetamine disguised as tea. The drugs were hidden in secret compartments throughout the vessel, including within its fuel tank. The Riau Islands Police arrested all six crew members on board, comprising four Indonesian nationals and two Thai citizens. They have been charged under Articles 112 and 114 of the 2009 Narcotics Law, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death sentence if convicted. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr Gen. Marthinus Hukom, said the raid was conducted after a five-month investigation and surveillance effort, which was launched after authorities received intelligence from international partners. 'This is the largest drug seizure in the history of narcotics enforcement in Indonesia,' Marthinus said at a press conference on Monday (May 26), as quoted by Kompas. The BNN has linked the methamphetamine shipment to a transnational drug syndicate operating out of the Golden Triangle, the notorious region where northeastern Myanmar borders parts of Thailand and Laos. The area has a long history of producing drugs, with trafficking networks extending as far as Japan and New Zealand. Marthinus said the drugs were destined for Indonesia as well as other South-East Asian countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. The latest seizure comes after Indonesia's navy seized a ship carrying nearly two tonnes of methamphetamine and cocaine worth Rp 7 trillion (US$425 million) around the same area in the west of the archipelago earlier this month. One Thai national and four Myanmar nationals were also detained. The eleven suspects arrested in connection with both cases were all fishermen who were allegedly recruited by drug traffickers to smuggle narcotics to various countries. They were reportedly paid Rp 25 million per trip, with bonuses of up to Rp 50 million. Last week, authorities also foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.8 kilograms of cocaine, valued at Rp 12 billion, from the United Kingdom to Bali. The drugs were concealed in two separate packages, hidden inside dolls and stationery items, and sent via mail. Customs officers detected the narcotics during an X-ray scan and immediately alerted the Bali Police. Bali Police Chief Insp. Ge. Daniel Adityajaya said that a 43-year-old Australian man, identified only by his initials LAA, was arrested in connection with the case. 'He was apprehended at an apartment in North Kuta, Badung Regency, shortly after receiving the narcotics packages,' Daniel said on Monday. LAA is believed to be part of an international drug trafficking syndicate, and police allege that he received Rp 50 million from another trafficker to sell the cocaine to foreign tourists visiting the popular holiday island. LAA has been charged under the 2009 Narcotics Law and faces the possibility of the death penalty if found guilty. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Indonesia reels in record haul of meth from fishing boat
Indonesian authorities seized two tons of crystal methamphetamine hidden on a fishing boat and arrested six people in the country's biggest-ever drug bust, officials said Monday. The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, said Thai authorities had notified them that the Indonesian-flagged vessel, sailing from the Andaman Sea to Batam Island, could be carrying a huge haul of narcotics. Indonesian authorities said they intercepted the boat in waters off the Riau islands last Tuesday, and found 2,000 packages of crystal meth stuffed into cardboard boxes hidden within the ship. "The result of the search is two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine," BNN chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference. "This is the biggest haul in Indonesia's narcotics bust history." Authorities released images of handcuffed suspects wearing orange jumpsuits and face masks sitting in front of hundreds of packages of the alleged drugs. Marthinus estimated the drugs to be worth more than $4 million. Indonesian authorities investigated the case over the last five months, working closely with Thai authorities. The illicit drugs were produced in the "Golden Triangle" region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and were smuggled by an organized crime group working with Indonesian traffickers, Marthinus said. Six people onboard the fishing boat were arrested, including four Indonesians and two Thai nationals. The crew told authorities they were fishermen recruited by the drugs syndicate which promised to pay them 50,000 Thai Baht ($1,500) and a $3,000 bonus. Marthinus said a fugitive from Thailand was behind the operation and that Indonesia would issue a red notice for the trafficker. Monday's drug bust was the second major drug seizure this month. Indonesian authorities previously seized 1.2 tons of crystal meth and more than 700 kilograms of cocaine inside a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the Riau islands. Authorities said they arrested five people and released an image of the suspects on ship with packages of drugs and armed officers behind them. In a separate case, Indonesian authorities arrested an Australian on Monday for allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali, a charge that could carry the death penalty, officials said Monday. Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws, and convicted smugglers are sometimes executed by firing squad. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Delta Air Lines' 100th year takes flight Trump delivers Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery Full interview: Jack McCain on "Face the Nation"
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Indonesia seizes record two tonnes of crystal meth hidden in fishing boat
BATAM, Indonesia (AFP): Indonesian authorities seized two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine hidden on a fishing boat and arrested six people in the country's biggest-ever drug bust, a senior narcotics official said Monday. The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, said Thai authorities had notified them that the Indonesian-flagged vessel, sailing from the Andaman Sea to Batam Island, could be carrying a huge haul of narcotics. Indonesian authorities intercepted the boat in waters off the Riau islands last Tuesday, and found 2,000 packages of crystal meth stuffed into cardboard boxes hidden within the ship. "The result of the search is two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine," BNN chief Marthinus Hukom told a press conference. "This is the biggest haul in Indonesia's narcotics bust history." Marthinus estimated the drugs to be worth nearly $308,000,000. Indonesian authorities investigated the case over the last five months, working closely with Thai authorities. The illicit drugs were produced in the "Golden Triangle" region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and were smuggled by an organised crime group working with Indonesian traffickers, Marthinus said. Six people onboard the fishing boat were arrested, including four Indonesians and two Thai nationals. The crew told authorities they were fishermen recruited by the drugs syndicate which promised to pay them 50,000 Thai Baht ($1,500) and a $3,000 bonus. Marthinus said a fugitive from Thailand was behind the operation and that Indonesia would issue a red notice for the trafficker. Monday's drug bust was the second major drug seizure this month. Indonesian authorities previously seized 1.2 tonnes of crystal meth and more than 700 kilograms of cocaine inside a Thailand-flagged fishing boat near the Riau islands. Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, including capital punishment for some trafficking cases. - AFP
Daily Express
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Indonesia to explore legalisation of medical cannabis
Published on: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 10, 2025 By: Jakarta Globe Text Size: Police officers, soldiers and National Narcotics Agency officials cut cannabis plants to destroy a plantation in the mountains of Indra Puri, Aceh Besar, Aceh. JAKARTA: The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) plans to launch a formal study into the potential medical use of cannabis, in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), as the government responds to growing public pressure and a Constitutional Court mandate. BNN Chief Marthinus Hukom said that the agency will conduct the research as part of its constitutional obligations following a 2020 ruling by the Constitutional Court, which urged the government to explore the medical benefits of cannabis. 'We are asking for time to conduct the research because cannabis is currently being debated regarding whether it can be legalised for medical use,' Marthinus said. 'Therefore, we need more accurate research results.' The study is expected to be carried out at BNN's forensic laboratory, which Marthinus described as one of the best-equipped facilities in Southeast Asia. The announcement follows years of campaigning from civil society groups and parents of children with chronic medical conditions, particularly cerebral palsy, who say medical cannabis could significantly improve quality of life. Hinca Panjaitan, a member of Commission III at the Indonesian House of Representatives, criticised the government's slow response. He said that despite two Constitutional Court decisions instructing research into medical cannabis, the study had yet to begin. 'One child suffering from cerebral palsy for the past 10 years recently passed away. The parent of that child was one of those who filed for the judicial review,' Hinca said. 'The state has taken too long to act on research that should have started years ago.' Indonesia has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, classifying cannabis as a Category I narcotic with no officially recognised medical use. However, the 2020 Constitutional Court ruling left the door open for research, stopping short of legalising cannabis outright. While neighbouring Thailand has already legalised medical cannabis and moved to decriminalise broader use, Indonesian authorities have remained cautious. The BNN's initiative marks a potential shift in approach, signalling that Indonesia may consider regulatory changes in the future if scientific findings support the use of cannabis for treatment. No timeline for the completion of the research has been announced, but Marthinus said the study must be comprehensive and scientifically robust before any policy recommendations are made. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Indonesian narcotics agency to launch study on use of marijuana for medical purposes
JAKARTA: The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is planning to launch a study on the potential medical benefits of marijuana, a move that could pave the way for limited legalisation of cannabis in a country long known for its firm anti-drug stance. BNN Head Gen Marthinus Hukom stated that the research will be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) at the BNN Forensic Laboratory, which he described as one of the best-equipped facilities in South-East Asia. "We are aware of the ongoing discussions about legalising cannabis for medical use. We need time to carry out accurate research to properly evaluate this proposal," he said during a recent hearing with lawmakers at the House of Representatives, as quoted by Antara. However, Marthinus emphasised that even if the research shows promising results regarding the medical benefits of marijuana, it does not necessarily mean that cannabis "will be legalised for everyone". Marthinus' statement came after lawmaker Hinca Pandjaitan of the Democratic Party criticised the government for its slow progress in researching the potential benefits of medical marijuana. "The public, particularly parents of children with cerebral palsy, have submitted multiple petitions to the Constitutional Court to legalise medical marijuana," he said. "Despite a ruling from the court urging the government to explore the medical benefits of cannabis, progress has remained very slow." He added that one of the petitioners' children, who had been suffering from cerebral palsy for the past 10 years, passed away while the government continued to drag its feet on conducting research into medical cannabis. In 2022 the Constitutional Court rejected a petition to legalise medical marijuana filed by three mothers of children with terminal illnesses who needed the drug to treat their symptoms. The court concluded that there was insufficient research in Indonesia to justify a ruling in favour of the petitioners, who challenged the ban on the use of medical marijuana established in the 2009 Narcotics Law. Under the law, cannabis is categorised as a type-1 narcotic that is prohibited from being consumed in Indonesia, including for therapeutic purposes, and its production explicitly banned except for certain research purposes, alongside opium, cocaine and methamphetamine. This law is among the world's harshest drug regulations. Despite rejecting the petition, the Constitutional Court stated that "the government must immediately conduct research" into the use of medical marijuana, emphasising that the findings could inform policy decisions, including the potential for legal reform. Last year, the Court also rejected a petition filed by Pipit Sri Hartanti and Supardji, parents of a child with cerebral palsy, who sought the legalisation of the substance as an alternative treatment for their child's condition. They brought a new finding from the World Health Organization (WHO) that recommended removing cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which categorises substances that have little or no therapeutic purposes. Cannabis is now included in Schedule I among other substances that are highly addictive, liable to abuse or convertible into addictive drugs in the WHO's list. But the court said that Indonesia had submitted a different position to the WHO's recommendation, in which the government warned that the harm from using cannabis and related substances outweighed the benefits. The pleas of these parents have garnered significant public support, including from former Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, who in 2022 urged the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to reconsider its stance on declaring marijuana haram, even for medical use. Research on the use of medical marijuana for cerebral palsy is still limited. Findings from some studies suggest that it offers a host of benefits, including pain control, reduction of spastic movements and reduction of seizures. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
