Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Tells BNN Head Petrus Golose: Our Government Has Confiscated 22 Tons Of Drugs This Year

Meeting between the Head of the National Narcotics Agency, Commissioner General of Police Petrus Golose (center), and Venezuela's Deputy Foreign Minister, Capaya R Gonzalez (left). (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of BNN, Commissioner General of Police Petrus Golose, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Capaya R. Gonzalez, discussed cooperation efforts between BNN and Venezuela in the fight against drugs.

The discussion on cooperation efforts, as quoted from Antara on Saturday, July 16, was carried out when Gonzalez, who was accompanied by the Venezuelan Ambassador to Indonesia, Radames Jesus G Azuaje, visited the BNN Office, Jakarta, Friday 15 July.

On that occasion, Golose, who warmly welcomed Gonzalez's visit, explained the difference between BNN and anti-drug institutions in other countries, namely that they are not only focused on eradicating drug abuse, but also optimizing prevention, community empowerment, and rehabilitation efforts.

Then in terms of human resources, he continued, BNN consists of various cross-sectoral elements, including the police, prosecutors, customs officers, and immigration officers.

The three-star general added that BNN has representatives up to the regional level, namely the Provincial National Narcotics Agency and the Regency/City National Narcotics Agency BNNK throughout Indonesia.

In addition, he also said that BNN is directly responsible to the president and coordinates relevant ministries/institutions in efforts to prevent and eradicate narcotics abuse and illicit trafficking.

Next, he explained about the current prevalence rate in Indonesia, namely the number of drug users associated with the large population from which the case originated.

He said the prevalence rate in Indonesia increased from 1.8 percent to 1.95 percent or equivalent to 3.6 million people involved in drug abuse.

On the same occasion, Gonzalez gave high appreciation for the hard work of BNN in tackling the problem of drug abuse and trafficking. According to him, his party needs to learn from the BNN's approach to dealing with the drug problem because Venezuela faces a big problem in the crime case.

He said that the Venezuelan government had seized 22 tons of drugs this year.

Therefore, he said, cooperation with a number of countries, such as in the Americas and Europe has been carried out to combat drug trafficking. As for the synergy with Indonesia through BNN, he said, this was the first collaboration between Venezuela and countries in Asia.

During the meeting, he invited Golose to visit Venezuela in order to strengthen cooperation in the fight against drugs. The visit was also an opportunity for both parties to share information and experiences regarding narcotics control. In fact, he said, Golose can also be a speaker at various universities in Venezuela.

In response, Golose appreciated Gonsalez's invitation, but he decided to finalize the cooperation script between BNN and Venezuela first. When it was signed, he said, a visit to Venezuela could be scheduled by BNN.

At the end of his talks, Gonzalez delivered a statement by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who repeatedly stated the urgency of the war on drugs. Therefore, he considered the meeting with the National Narcotics Agency to be an important momentum in order to strengthen efforts to fight drugs, as Venezuela's commitment.