285 arrested after massive drugs haul seized by Indonesian authorities

Indonesian police officers stand guard near suspects and various drugs seized in a nationwide crackdown (Achmad Ibrahim/AP)

Indonesian authorities said they arrested 285 people suspected of drug trafficking, including 29 women and seven foreigners, and seized more than half a ton of various substances during a two-month-long nationwide crackdown.

Indonesia is a major hub for drug trafficking in Southeast Asia despite having strict drug laws, with convicted smugglers sometimes executed by firing squad.