TANGERANG - Soekarno-Hatta Customs together with the NIC Task Force of the Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police dismantled an attempt to smuggle raw materials for narcotics in the form of liquid ecstasy.
The goods were known to come from China and were carried by passengers who flew from Malaysia before arriving at Terminal 3 of the Soekarno-Hatta International Arrival Airport.
Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Customs Office, Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, said the disclosure of this case was the result of continuous information analysis and cross-agency synergy.
"The raw materials contain narcotics and psychotropic substances. This case was revealed at Terminal 3 of the International Arrival of Soekarno-Hatta Airport. This action is the result of continuous information analysis and cross-agency synergy," said Hengky in his statement, Thursday, July 16.
During the operation, officers seized 3.3 kilograms of evidence and arrested two Chinese nationals with the initials LZ and SZ.
The two arrived using the TransNusa airline with the route Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta.
"The two passengers are suspected of acting as drug couriers by disguising the goods in the packaging of instant drinks of various brands. After being examined, the contents were psychotropic Group IV type nimetazepam and Group I narcotics such as methamphetamine and ketamine," explained Hengky.
Hengky revealed that the smuggling was suspected to involve a network that had been structured at Soekarno-Hatta Airport to facilitate the movement of goods while avoiding the inspection of officers.
In this case, a Garuda Indonesia helper with the initials RS and a premium taxi service driver with the initials EA were also secured.
"The helper is suspected of acting as a protocol officer at Soekarno-Hatta Airport to facilitate the transfer of goods. Meanwhile, the taxi driver is tasked with transporting the two passengers to the Ibis Soekarno-Hatta Hotel," he said.
Hengky emphasized that the success of this disclosure is a form of the Customs' commitment to guarding the country's entry points from the circulation of narcotics.
"Every effort to smuggle narcotics that we have managed to prevent means saving the nation's generation as a form of state protection for the community," he said.
Currently, all suspects and evidence have been handed over to the NIC Task Force of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police for further investigation.
The suspects were charged with Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics with a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, member of the NIC Task Force of the Narcotics Directorate of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, Ipda Rino Aditya Pradinata, said the evidence contained four types of prohibited substances.
In powder form, the material is a raw material that can be processed into liquid ecstasy.
"If it becomes a small-sized sachet, one package can be sold in a nightclub at a price of around IDR 2 million. This powder is then mixed with mineral water and gives the effect of liquid ecstasy," explained Rino.
He added, from the 3.3 kilograms of raw materials, thousands of sachets can be produced after undergoing the processing process. Until now, investigators are still investigating the case to uncover a wider network.
"Two foreign nationals from China have been named as suspects. Meanwhile, the helper and the taxi driver are still witnesses," he concluded.
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