RI Committed To Eradicate Drugs Crime

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - Indonesia is committed to eradicating drug crimes that stem from transnational crime networks involving syndicates that cover drugs production, transit and distribution in destination countries, said Vice President Boediono.

"Drugs are part of a transnational crime which is now spreading in the world through a wide network that is orderly and confidential. Therefore, to counter this, international partnership is needed," he stated here during the opening ceremony of the 29th International Drugs Enforcement Conference (IDEC) on Tuesday (12/6).

He expressed Indonesia's commitment to eradicating drug crimes by cooperating with other countries and implementing policies and strategies to free Indonesia from drugs by 2015.

Indonesia, he added, has made strong efforts to combat drug crimes through the National Narcotics Board (BNN) that continuously fights narcotics-related crime.

For example, on May 25, 2012, BNN officers successfully captured ten members of an international syndicate who were attempting to smuggle about 1.5 million ecstasy pills through Tanjung Priok Port; the pills had been shipped from Shen Zen, China, and were destined for Jakarta.

This big case was successfully cracked through a strong partnership between BNN, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), China and Hong Kong.

He stated that according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, around 149-272 million people in the world - or about 3.3-6.1 percent of the world's population - are estimated to consume narcotics, and this figure may be continuously increasing.

In Indonesia alone, it is estimated that 4.2 million people consume narcotics illegally.

The head of BNN, Gories Mere, stated that the IDEC in Bali is the first meeting to be held outside the United States of America and other Western countries.
   
Through this meeting, all delegates can coordinate and exchange information on matters such as new modes and strategies that need to be shared with other countries for conducting operational activities to pursue targets set in the previous IDEC.

New operation targets can be prioritized by countries requiring assistance from and cooperation with other countries, both regional and international.

"We will increase our spirit of international partnership to combat drug crimes. We will share priorities on eradicating narcotics," he said.(DWA/T007)