Indonesian police uncover marijuana network using bed linen, cat toys
JAKARTA, Aug 5 (Reuters) -Indonesian police have arrested two people for their alleged links to a marijuana smuggling network, foiling plans to send the drug in packages of bed linen and cat toys from Southeast Asia to the United Kingdom, authorities said on Monday.
Marijuana busts occur occasionally in Indonesia, but the transnational nature of this case is unusual, Marthinus Hukom, chief of Indonesia's narcotics agency, told reporters.
"This is a new phenomenon as the marijuana from Thailand was sent first to Indonesia then [was destined for] Europe," he said, adding that the two Indonesian nationals planned to send more than 100 kg (220 pounds) from Jakarta to Liverpool.
Police found more than 30 kg of marijuana hidden in packages of bed linen and cat toys during a raid at Soekarno Hatta Airport on July 25. A subsequent raid uncovered more than 80 kg of marijuana at a shophouse connected to the same people.
Police estimate the total street value of the haul was 25 billion rupiah ($1.54 million), Marthinus said.
The two suspects are accused of violating Indonesia's narcotics law, which carries the death sentence as the maximum penalty.
Thailand became one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise marijuana in 2022. The policy has led to an large increase in recreational use and triggered the launch of tens of thousands of cannabis cafes and retailers.
Earlier this year the Thai government said it planned to re-criminalise cannabis. However, last month, Thailand said it would legislate marijuana for medical use.
($1 = 16,195.0000 rupiah)
Reporting by Heru Asprihanto and Ananda Teresia; Writing by Kate Lamb; Editing by Christian Schmollinger
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
