REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BINJAI -- Binjai city police have arrested an alleged methamphetamine dealer in the Paya Robah area of the West Binjai sub-district in the North Sumatra city.

The suspect identified as I (36) was nabbed with 8.16 grams of the drug, chief of anti drug unit of the city police Adj. Comr PS Simbolon said here on Wednesday.

Simbolon said the suspect had been a police operation target for the last two months before he was finally arrested on Wednesday.

He said police continued with the investigation, hoping interrogation of I would lead to identification of the suppliers of the drug.

Indonesia is getting tough on drug crimes slapping heavier punishment on perpetrators hoping to give a deterrent effect.

Last months five drug convicts on the death row were executed and eight more are awaiting their turn for execution after their appeal for clemency had been rejected by the president.

The execution of the convicts mostly foreigners have drawn strong protests from other countries mainly Brazil, Australia, France, and Netherlands.

The government defends its strong action against the crime saying drug caused the death of around 35 Indonesian every day.

The National Anti Drug Agency (BNN) said 1.6 million Indonesians have used drugs, 1.4 million are regular consumers and 943,000 drug addicts.

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