The suspect, identified as AGR, 47, could face the death penalty if found guilty.

AGR was reportedly driving a Toyota Avanza with another Surakarta resident, SYN, 53, when he was arrested. Local residents had reportedly tipped off the agency about a possible drug sale between the two, who were allegedly caught red-handed.

National Narcotics Agency Central Java head Brig. Gen. Tri Agus Heru Prasetya said AGR had planned to go on the minor haj with his wife on Monday, but that plan had been foiled by his arrest. AGR’s wife then decided to proceed with the pilgrimage on her own.

AGR reportedly admitted that he had been addicted to methamphetamine since 1998, and that he had tried to quit in 2002, “but I continued to consume it after a reunion with an old friend. The friend also asked me to sell [the drug],” he told the media.

The agency is currently searching for the person who sold the narcotic to AGR, identified as Bejo.

“This case shows us that narcotics can even spread to pesantren. We will intensify communication with religious groups to launch a campaign on the danger of illegal substances,” Tri said.

Meanwhile, Surakarta pesantren Ta’mirul Islam Surakarta was quick to deny any affiliation with AGR. The pesantren’s principal, Mohammad Adhim, said AGR was not a staffer at the pesantren, though he acknowledged that AGR had frequented the pesantren to attend sermons.

“He was a frequent visitor and he often came [to attend sermons of] Muhammad Ali or Abah [father] Ali. But he’s an outsider,” Adhim said Tuesday. (swd)

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