Batam Customs Thwarts Methamphetamine Smuggling On Sandals

Batam Customs Chief Zaky Muhtadi showed evidence of sandals used by drug couriers to smuggle 805 grams of methamphetamine from Malaysia/ANTARA

Batam Customs and Excise, Riau Islands, thwarted the smuggling of narcotics class I of methamphetamine from Malaysia carried by airplane passengers at Hang Nadim Batam Airport with the mode hidden in sandals worn by the perpetrators.

"This is the first new mode we have revealed, methamphetamine-type drugs are carried by airplane passengers on the Batam route to Surabaya, with the end goal of going to Madura," said Batam Customs Head Zaky Firmansyah as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 29.

Zaky explained that the perpetrator was a Madurese with the initials AN (31), who had been working as a migrant worker since 2013 in Malaysia.

"In Malaysia he works as a paintman," said Zaky.

He said that 805 grams of methamphetamine was carried by perpetrator AN stored in the right and left sandals of the perpetrators when they were about to depart from Batam to Surabaya via Hang Nadim Batam International Airport on Saturday (19/4).

"This action managed to secure 2 packs tucked into the right and left sandals, a total weight of 805 grams," said Zaky.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Enforcement and Investigation Division (P2) of Batam Muhtadi Customs explained that the prosecution was carried out starting from the suspicion of officers at Hang Nadim Batam Airport with the perpetrators' movements.

At that time, he said, the perpetrator looked nervous and anxious when passing X-ray at Hang Nadim Batam Airport.

On the basis of this suspicion, the officers then examined the perpetrators. The perpetrators in providing information also changed. So the officers immediately checked the luggage suitcase, which turned out to be filled only a few pieces of clothing.

"That's why we suspect, then we pay attention to the sandals used by the perpetrators a bit odd, looking thicker and taller," he said.

The officer then examined the sandals worn by the perpetrator, with the results found two packs of white crystals on the left and right sandals. The results of the narcotics test that were carried out were positive, containing methamphetamine.

"The officers' in-depth examination results showed that the sandals used by passengers were one pack of crystal powder suspected of methamphetamine weighing 375 grams on the left sandals, and one pack weighing 430 grams on the right sandals," said Muhtadi.

From the results of the examination, the perpetrator admitted that he was paid by someone with the initials R in Malaysia to bring methamphetamine weighing 805 grams. The promised wage was Rp. 40 million, and only Rp. 3 million was paid when traveling from Malaysia to Batam.

Pelaku AN berangkat dari Johor, Malaysia menuju Batam melalui port rat pada 17 April. Dia menjadi kurir sabu dari pelaku R, sesama warga Madura.

"AN took sandals containing methamphetamine at R's house in Majidee, Johor Bahru, with a promise of a salary of Rp. 40 million, and a down payment of Rp. 3 million," said Muhtadi.

The plan, AN arrived in Madura, was ordered to take methamphetamine to the hospital and send photos as evidence before receiving the remaining payment of courier service wages.

The perpetrator, after being secured by Customs and Excise officers and Avsec at Hang Hadim Batam Airport, the case was transferred to the Barelang Police for further investigation.