Riau Police Hunt for Mastermind behind 276 Kg of Methamphetamine from Malaysia

The Head of Public Relations and Director of Drugs at the Riau Police during the disclosure of the 276 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine case. (ANTARA/Annisa F)

PEKANBARU - The Riau Police's Drug and Narcotics Agency are hunting for Marno, who was the mastermind behind the thwarted delivery of 276 kg of methamphetamine from Malaysia on Arifin Achmad Street, Pekanbaru on Sunday January 29.

"Based on the interrogation results of the suspects who were arrested, the drugs came from Malaysia on orders from Marno, who are still being searched for. So far, only Fir and Gus have communicated with him", said Riau Police spokesperson Commissioner Sunarto when disclosing the case at the Riau Police Headquarters, reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 1.

Sunarto explained that the shipment of illicit goods used a pick-up truck and was hidden behind a pile of coconuts.

The methamphetamine wrapped in Chinese tea bags was stored in 14 sacks. On top of it then stacked coconut.

"The colt diesel controller, Gus (23), admits that he will make a transaction at Rambutan 3 Street, Pekanbaru", said Sunarto.

The police followed Gus to the transaction location, and soon a silver car containing four suspects arrived. During the arrest attempt, the driver of the car, namely Fir, tried to harm the officer and finally had to be shot, and finally died.

Meanwhile, the Director of Narcotics at the Riau Police, Commissioner Yos Guntur, explained that Gus played the role of coordinator on direct orders from Marno, while Fir (24) was the controller. The suspect SUP (40) acts as a land courier, while Bud (19) and Dil (19) are part of the monitoring team.

By their respective roles, the suspects were promised wages of Rp. 15-20 million. It is planned that the methamphetamine will be stored first in a shop that has just been rented a few days before.

"When checked, the shop is still empty. It hasn't been implemented yet. The plan is to place methamphetamine there ahead of an order from Malaysia", concluded Yos Guntur.

The suspects were charged with Article 114 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 112 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph (1) of Republic of Indonesia Law No. 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, with the threat of capital punishment, life imprisonment or a maximum of 20 years in prison.