POLICE RAID HOUSE USED FOR PROCESSING METHAMPHENTAMINE

Jakarta, Nov 21 (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police force raided a house in Taman Ratu housing complex in West Jakarta on Friday used for processing methamphetamine locally known as "shabu".

After the raid the police arrested nine people suspected to be the owners and workers of the factory. Five of the suspects are foreigners from Hong Kong and Macau.

The police also confiscated machines for producing the shabu, raw materials and 20 kilograms of shabu ready for distribution.

The factory produced around 100 kilograms of shabu everyday, according to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police's narcotics affairs director, Senior Commissioner Arman Depari.

He said the factory was connected with an international narcotics ring as the raw materials for the factory were imported from Asian countries.

The operation drew the attention of national police chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri, who immediately came to the scene of the crime after the raid.

General Danuri called on the people to be mindful of their neighbourhood, saying that "the plant has been operating there for four months."