An Indonesian court has sentenced to death a Hong Kong drug lord who masterminds the smuggling of methamphetamines into the country.
Wong Chi Ping (C) surrounded by guards
The drug leader, Wong Chi Ping, was sentenced to death on Friday for possession of more than 860 kg (1,900 lb) of methamphetamines in one of the country's biggest drug busts in years.
According to Reuters, Indonesian authorities in January arrested Wong Chi Ping and members of his drug syndicate in the capital, Jakarta, after a nearly three-year investigation.
"This was our biggest catch so far in five years," said Slamet Pribadi, spokesman for the National Narcotics Agency. "The harsh penalty on drugs will provide a deterrent effect for those who are looking to do such crimes."
However, Wong's lawyers said they would appeal against the sentence.
"We hope that our client still has a chance to prove himself," said defense lawyer, Rando Vittoro Hasibuan. "We still believe that he doesn't deserve to get the death penalty."
Wong was believed to have been the mastermind behind the smuggling of methamphetamines from Hong Kong, on southeast China's coast, to Indonesia, packing the drugs into coffee containers, media reported.
After the arrests, police forced Wong and other members of his group to burn 1 trillion rupiah ($73.21 million) worth of the drugs.