INDONESIA. TWO PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HUGE DRUG OPERATION

two Indonesians were sentenced to death for masterminding one of the world’s biggest drug operations, while a Dutchman and Frenchman who helped make the ecstasy and methamphetamine were jailed for life. Police uncovered the operation in 2005 in Banten province, just west of Jakarta. Officials said it was the largest in Southeast Asia and the third biggest in the world of its type, capable of producing one million ecstasy pills a week and various drugs with a potential street value of $600 million a year.
In the November bust, police seized 150 kg (330 pounds) of crystal methamphetamines and more than 60 tonnes of raw materials for making illegal drugs.
Nine defendants, seven of them foreigners, were found guilty of involvement in the operation, run from several factories and warehouses.
Prosecutors had sought death sentences for all nine, but the Tangerang court only handed down that penalty to the Indonesians who led the operation — Benny Sudrajat and Iming Santosa.
Five Chinese nationals also each received 20 years in jail for working at the illegal drug factories.