Aceh Police Unload Smuggling Of Methamphetamine Weight 20 Kg From Malaysia

Aceh Police Chief Inspector General Pol Achmad (central) showed international methamphetamine-type drugs at the Aceh Police Headquarters, Banda Aceh, Thursday (30/11/2023). (ANTARA)

The Aceh Police are investigating the smuggling of 20 kilograms of methamphetamine from Malaysia to the East Aceh Regency area.

Aceh Police Chief Inspector General Pol Achmad Kartiko said the smuggling of prohibited items involved three suspected perpetrators by picking them up from the middle of the sea.

"Three suspected perpetrators were arrested along with evidence of methamphetamine weighing up to 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and a motorboat in Kuala Idi, East Aceh Regency," said Achmad Kartiko, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, November 30.

The three suspected perpetrators, namely the initials Muhammad Yusuf (41), Zulkarnaeni (44), and Yurizal (38). The three of them are fishermen, residents of East Aceh Regency.

The two-star police general said the investigation into the smuggling of methamphetamine started from public information. The public expressed their concerns regarding the rampant smuggling of prohibited goods.

Based on this information, the joint team involved personnel from the Aceh Police, Bareskrim Polri, and the ranks of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of Aceh Province to conduct patrols. Patrols are divided into two teams, land and sea by combing the waters of the Malacca Strait.

During the patrol, the joint team received information that there was a methamphetamine pick-up from Malaysian waters. Then, the joint team used a customs patrol boat to see a suspicious motorboat.

"Then, the team chased the motorboat and stopped it. There were three people on the motorboat. After being searched, 20 packs of methamphetamine were found," said Achmad Kartiko.

From the results of the examination of the alleged perpetrators, said the Kapolda, they admitted that they picked up the methamphetamine in the waters of the Malacca Strait. Furthermore, the prohibited items were brought to the mainland of Aceh for further distribution to various regions in Indonesia.

"From the confessions of the three, they received a salary of Rp130 million to pick up the methamphetamine in the waters of the Malacca Strait. The perpetrators admitted that it was the first time they did it," said Achmad Kartiko.

Kapolda said the perpetrators were suspected of violating Article 114 Paragraph (2) sub-Article 112 Paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 Paragraph (1) of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 35 Year 2009 concerning narcotics.

"The threat of a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of death. The disclosure of the drugs saved 160 thousand lives assuming one gram of crystal methamphetamine was used by eight people," said Achmad Kartiko.