Jakarta. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian ordered his subordinates to shoot drug dealers , especially foreign nationals, dead on the spot if they resist arrest, as police look to ramp up anti-narcotics efforts.

"If drug dealers resist, shoot [them] dead on the spot […] especially, foreign nationals who target Indonesia as a place to distribute drugs. Take firm action, shoot them dead," Tito said on Monday (12/02) at Jakarta Police headquarters, as quoted by BeritaSatu.com.

The statement comes after authorities seized a ton of methamphetamine being smuggled on a fishing vessel into national waters last week.

Four Taiwanese nationals were arrested in that sting, in which crew members attempted to evade authorities by hoisting a Singaporean flag.

The police chief plans to issue an official letter to all regional police chiefs to increase law enforcement efforts and raids on entertainment venues that are suspected of being hubs for drug distribution.

Indonesia applies the death sentence on successful narcotics indictments and prioritize the punishment on distributors.