Riau-Bea Excise Batam Police Failed To Send 93 Kg Of Drugs Packed In Chinese Tea

Riau Police's Narcotics Investigation Directorate together with Batam Customs thwarted the shipment of 93 kilograms of methamphetamine to Jakarta from Batu Luar, Malaysia, through the front waters of Berakit Village, Bintan Regency, last Tuesday.

"This is a joint investigation with Customs and Excise, starting with information from the public that there will be goods (drugs) from Malaysia, then entering through the waters of Berakit Village, which will then be sent to Jakarta," said the Director of Drug Research at the Riau Islands Police, Kombes Anggoro Wicaksono during the release of the disclosure of the case at the Riau Islands Police Headquarters, Batam City, Antara, Wednesday, March 26.

According to him, the Riau Islands Police's Narcotics Directorate team had joined the Customs and Excise ship for three days to monitor information related to drug shipments. The investigation process took place in the midst of extreme weather conditions and high waves, resulting in transactions of goods delivery in the middle of the sea.

"Thirdly, it is known that one of the ships carried out the transaction, we immediately made an arrest," he said.

There are three suspects in the case, with the initials MJ, ID and JS, are Indonesian citizens. The three people acted as intermediaries, transferring drugs from ships to ships using the Rangga Putra Motorboat (KM).

"Based on the results of the suspect's statement that they will send the goods to Jakarta and it is possible that they will arrive during Eid," he said.

Batam Customs Head Zaky Firmansyah said the crackdown on drug shipments took place in the early hours of the morning at around 01.00 WIB. The perpetrator's mode is using a fishing net.

Three crew members named as suspects carry unusual cargo for a fishing boat.

During a thorough inspection, a number of Chinese tea packs were stored on board with the words "Chinese Tea Gift".

"This building is hidden in several places, namely in the steering area and in the crew's rest room," said Zaky.

Overall there were 93 packs of Chinese tea weighing approximately 93 kilograms. The results of the narcotics test and laboratory tests, the white crystalline powder was positive for the class I narcotic compound of methamphetamine.