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PKS councilor-elect arrested for dealing meth
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Police guard bags of seized methamphetamine during a press conference in Jakarta on April 28, 2021. The police said they had smashed a smuggling ring that moved 2,267 kilograms of methamphetamine from Afghanistan into the country, a haul worth about US$82 million.
(AFP/Mariana)
A
n incoming councilor from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has been nabbed for sabu-sabu (crystal methamphetamine) dealing and drug use.
The arrested politician, Sofyan, was elected in the February legislative election to sit at Aceh Tamiang Legislative Council in Aceh.
He is currently under the custody of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) in Jakarta following his arrest in Aceh Tamiang regency over the weekend, kompas.com reported.
Bareskrim narcotics division worked with Aceh Tamiang Police to locate Sofyan, who was spotted at a clothing store in Manyak Payed district, Aceh Tamiang.
Narcotics division head Brig. Gen. Mukti Juharsa said on Monday that Sofyan was among a number of people on the wanted list since March 2024, in connection to the trade of 70 kilograms of sabu-sabu, kompas.com reported.
Apart from owning the drug, Mukti said Sofyan also controlled the trade of crystal methamphetamine from neighboring Malaysia.
Following Sofyan’s arrest, PKS spokesperson Ahmad Mabruri said the Islamic-based party would fire the politician from the party.
“A PKS legislative candidate who won the second-largest number of votes in [Sofyan’s electoral district] will replace Sofyan [at the Aceh Tamiang Legislative Council],” Ahmad said, as quotes from kompas.com.
The PKS, he said, supported the antidrug campaign of the government.
“We will also fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies, Ahmad added. “We do not want to see our party, from the national to regional levels, become a hiding place for any criminals, let alone narcotics criminals.”
Aceh has been plagued with drug trafficking in recent years, prompting authorities to intensify their clampdown on drug traders across the province. (rad)
