Tangerang. Indonesian prosecutors on Thursday demanded capital punishment for a man accused of drug trafficking and illegal possession of 42 kilograms of methamphetamine, known locally as sabu.

The sentencing demand was read out at the Tangerang District Court in Banten against Budi Julianda, who was arrested at Harapan Indah housing complex in Bekasi, West Java, last year.

Two other defendants identified as Adi Bonar Simarmata and Aditio were recommended a life sentence for becoming accessories in the crime, Tangerang prosecutor Ate Quesyini Ilyas said after the hearing.

"The two defendants have played a role as [drug] couriers based on testimonies from witnesses and the evidence," Ate was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

"When don't act lightly when handling narcotics cases and for sure we are pursuing punishments that they deserve."

From the drug ring, law enforcement officials seized 42 kilograms of meth allegedly smuggled from Malaysia, the prosecutor said.

Earlier this week, the National Police announced that they have uncovered another major drug ring with 50 kilograms of meth seized as evidence following operations in Aceh and North Sumatra.

Police arrested eight suspects and later discovered that the ring was controlled by two drug convicts on death row identified as Zulkifli and Hery Setiawan.

Indonesia has more than 400 death row inmates, with drug convicts making up more than half.

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