Indonesia has rejected claims that public servants were involved in large-scale marijuana cultivation near the eruption-prone Mount Semeru in East Java, stating that a recent video that exposed the crops was from an anti-drug drive conducted last year.
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Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said officials had no role in managing the plantation inside the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
“No, the marijuana plants weren’t grown by my colleagues at the national park. The plantation was uncovered through our collaboration with the police,” Antoni said on Tuesday.
His response came after drone footage showed the marijuana field and sparked rumours of the park being closed to conceal the illicit activity.
“That is not true,” the minister said, adding that the clip was shot when police and forest rangers raided the park in September 2024 following tip-offs about the farm.
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A forestry ministry official said thousands of marijuana plants were destroyed during the operation.