Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Retrieved from Antara, The West Jakarta Police revealed on Monday that they had uncovered an illegal drug laboratory in an apartment building in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, where “happy water” powder was being produced.
“We have successfully raided a clandestine drug lab located in an apartment in Cengkareng,” said Commissioner Vernal Armando, head of the West Jakarta Police Narcotics Division.
During the operation, officers seized various raw materials and drug precursors used in the production of the illicit substance. However, details about the underground drug lab remain limited as the investigation is still ongoing.
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“The investigation is still in progress, and we are not yet able to provide specific details about the evidence or any networks that may be involved,” Armando added.
Indonesia continues to be a target for drug lords, who view the country’s vast population and millions of drug users as a lucrative market. The drug trade in Indonesia is estimated to be worth around Rp66 trillion (approximately US\$4.3 billion).
The widespread issue of drug addiction has become a serious threat to millions of Indonesians. A joint survey by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) found that around 3.4 million Indonesians are addicted to drugs. The survey also revealed that approximately 180 out of every 10,000 Indonesians aged 15 to 64 years are victims of drug addiction. (BL)