Ustaz Arrested For Smuggling Methamphetamine Drugs Into Banyuwangi Prison

BANYUWANGI - Correctional Institution Officer (Lapas) Class IIA Banyuwangi, East Java, thwarted the smuggling of methamphetamine-type narcotics by a ustaz.

Head of the East Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Imam Jauhari, said that the Ustaz with the initials MS had been appointed by one of the Islamic boarding schools in Glenmore District, Banyuwangi, to be one of the organizations in collaboration with the local prison in the field of spiritual development of inmates.

"The person concerned (MS) has only taught spiritual guidance three times at the Banyuwangi Prison Mosque, and teaches every Wednesday," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 21.

According to Imam Jauhari, al MS, it is known that the prison officer carrying a package suspected of having methamphetamine was hidden in a wallet containing STNK which was linked to the car key.

"The MS methamphetamine package was found at around 09.30 WIB. MS entered Banyuwangi Prison with the aim of teaching religious knowledge to inmates," he said.

Officers found the items during a search of the perpetrator's body.

"We certainly really appreciate the upright ranks, providing the same service according to the SOP that applies to anyone who visits the prison," said Imam.

Meanwhile, Head of Class IIA Banyuwangi Prison Wahyu Indarto explained that so far his party had indeed collaborated with several religious organizations to enrich the scientific realm of the inmates.

"There are several ustaz who teach several fields such as calligraphy, the history of Islamic culture,qira'ah, to Arabic," he said.

Wahyu said that previously officers had started to suspect MS's behavior since a week ago. At that time, after teaching, MS asked prison health workers to check his blood pressure.

"From his behavior, our health workers suspect that MS is like someone who abuses drugs," he said.

"When MS momentum entered the prison again, we conducted a thorough search and finally found a package of white crystals in a plastic clip package on the key hanger of his car," said Wahyu.

"The urine test showed a positive result of methamphetamine and the person concerned admitted to taking drugs last night at his residence," said Wahyu.

MS admitted that the goods were used for personal consumption and had no intention of being smuggled into the prison.

"On these findings, the officers then coordinated with the Banyuwangi Police Satreskoba to help carry out developments," he said.