LOOK: Gov't burns thousands of ecstasy tablets, marijuana

BAGS OF DRUGS. Indonesian President Joko Widowo (R) takes a look at seized drugs in Jakarta on December 6, 2016 before they destroy them. AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Police began torching about a ton of illegal drugs in Jakarta on Tuesday, December 6, as Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo defended his tough war on narcotics.

Authorities wheeled out giant furnaces to incinerate some of the massive haul on display, including nearly half a ton of methamphetamine, 190,000 ecstasy tablets and 420 kilograms (926 pounds) of marijuana.

Jokowi and other top officials, wearing protective gloves and masks, inspected the drugs before tossing bags of pills into the incinerator.

Indonesia has tough drugs laws but Jokowi has made combating narcotics a top priority since taking office in late 2014, resuming the execution of traffickers after an unofficial hiatus.

18 convicted drug smugglers – including 15 foreigners – have been sent to the firing squad in Indonesia under his administration.

BURNED. Indonesian President Joko Widowo puts drugs into an incinerator in Jakarta as they destroy seized drugs. BNN destroyed drugs they've collected from the last two months operations. AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

Jokowi has defended his hardline stance, claiming Indonesia faces a "drugs emergency" and must act to protect the next generation.

"Every year 15,000 Indonesian youth die because of drugs. How many drug dealers and traffickers die every year?" he said.

"When I see this evidence, it becomes clear we once again have to declare a war on drugs," he added, to applause.

Indonesia's drugs agency said in 2016 nearly a ton of methamphetamine, 3 tons of marijuana and roughly 600,000 ecstasy pills had been seized.

ON DISPLAY. Indonesian National Narcotic Agency (BNN) officers display drug smuggling suspects in Jakarta on December 6, 2016 as they destroy seized drugs. AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

They said the production of synthetic drugs was shifting to countries that were traditionally transit points for narcotics, like Indonesia.

Jokowi ordered an official investigation in August into allegations top police and military officers took kickbacks from a drug kingpin to protect his lucrative business. – Rappler.com