New report warns of crystal meth use in Indonesia

February 22, 2013

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JAKARTA, Indonesia – A new study issued Wednesday (February 20th) concluded that the manufacture, trafficking and use of crystal methamphetamine now poses Indonesia's greatest illicit-drug threat, The Jakarta Globe reported.

An Indonesian customs official inspects packs of heroin and crystal methamphetamine seized at Banda Aceh Airport in June 2012. A report released Wednesday (February 20th) revealed a 79% increase in meth seizures in 2011 and called its manufacture, trafficking and usage the greatest illicit drug threat facing the nation. [Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP]

The study, jointly published by the National Narcotics Agency and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, noted that crystal meth seizures rose 79% in 2011 compared to 2010. Researchers said that while cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug in Indonesia, crystal meth use has expanded over the past several years, particularly among labourers, students and commercial sex workers. Drug-related arrests involving crystal meth in Indonesia are rising proportionately, the report noted.

Meanwhile, Jakarta police announced Tuesday that they had shot dead an Iranian who had been arrested for possession of 1kg of crystal meth.

The Jakarta Post quoted Police Narcotics Directorate Chief Nugroho Aji Wijayanto as saying the suspect was shot Friday after he attempted to escape while leading police officers to his alleged accomplice. "He broke free of the handcuffs and tried to run," Nugroho said.