Courier Of Methamphetamine Hides Nearly 1 Kg In Panties

Illustration of methamphetamine/ Photo: BNN

The Tanjung Priok Port Police Narcotics Investigation Unit thwarted an attempt to smuggle nearly one kilogram of methamphetamine carried by two men with the mode of hiding it in underwear when it landed at Soekarno 'Hatta Airport, Banten, last Wednesday, November 12.

Head of the Tanjung Priok Port Police Narcotics Investigation Unit, AKP Trendy Habibi Ariyanto, said that this success began with a public report through the Call Center 110 service regarding the alleged entry of drugs from Kalimantan by air. The two perpetrators with the initials YH and SBP came from Pontianak. They served as couriers," he said, Friday.

Officers moved after receiving further information regarding the network previously disclosed at Pelni Port Angkasa Pura II, Tanjung Priok. The information stated the arrival schedule for the delivery of methamphetamine from Pontianak to Jakarta. The plane carrying the two couriers arrived at Terminal 2E Soekarno Airport Hatta at around 07.35 WIB.

In collaboration with airport authorities, the Opsnal Team followed the two men and arrested them shortly after getting off the plane. From the results of the search, officers found 10 packages of crystal methamphetamine weighing a total of 896.7 grams, all of which were stored in the perpetrators' underwear. SBP carries 447.58 grams, while YH carries 449.12 grams.

From the initial examination, both admitted that the illicit goods came from a supplier with the initials W who is now on the wanted list (DPO). The two couriers also claimed to have traveled similar trips twice and received wages of around Rp. 13.5 million.

Officers also confiscated two cellphones that were allegedly used to communicate with a network of dealers. The two perpetrators are now detained at the Tanjung Priok Port Police and charged with Article 114 paragraph (2) and Article 112 paragraph (2) of the Narcotics Law.

This success, according to the police, shows the importance of the role of public information and coordination across agencies in tightening supervision at airports as one of the main entrances to drug trafficking.