ational Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso said that investigators would continue to shoot on site suspected drug dealers who refused to surrender.
“People said that the BNN cannot shoot on the spot. Why not?” he said at Merdeka Square in Medan, North Sumatra, on Thursday.
According to the BNN, 15,000 Indonesians die every year because of drugs. Budi said that because of this statistic, "stern actions" against drug dealers were justifiable.
Read also: Jokowi launches national program to combat illegal drugs
The majority of drug dealers, Budi said, were repeat offenders after serving prison terms.
“There are too few drug dealers who are dead, while they have killed thousands of people,” he said.
Therefore, Budi emphasized that he would not care about criticism against the policy to shoot on site suspected drug dealers.
He encouraged all BNN officers across Indonesia to not hesitate to shoot suspects on the spot.
Read also: Police seize 19,000 ecstasy pills at popular Bali nightclub
Medan Metropolitan Police chief Sr. Comr. Sandi Nugroho said there were 42 suspects who were shot dead by the police in Medan in the past 10 months.
"This fact should have been a warning to the dealers but illegal drug distribution seems to remain rampant," Sandi told The Jakarta Post. (dra/bbs)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.