Police Thwart The Smuggling Of 22.2 Kg Of Crystal Methamphetamine From Malaysia, How Many Citizens Were Saved?

Barelang Police Chief Kombes Pol Nugroho Tri Nuryanto (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The Barelang Police succeeded in thwarting an attempt to smuggle 22,249 kg of crystal methamphetamine from Malaysia to Palembang, South Sumatra, through the waters of Buaya Island, Batam City, Riau Islands.

"The plan is to bring it to Palembang. Order there", said the Barelang Police Chief, Commissioner Nugroho Tri Nuryanto, Thursday, March 17, quoted from Antara.

The police have arrested four suspected drug couriers. First, RH (48) a resident of the Pulau Bawahpadang, Batam City, ST (26) a resident of Palembang, IM (49) a resident of Ogan Ilir, and AB (46) a resident of West Bangka around Buaya Island, Batam.

The illegal goods worth IDR 33 billion (assuming 1 gram of crystal methamphetamine is worth IDR 1.5 million in the market) were smuggled in 22 packets of tea packaged with the Guanyinwang brand, with a total weight of 22.249 kg.

"The modus operandi of the perpetrators was to distribute methamphetamine from Malaysia by sea using a 'speed boat' from Malaysia via Batam to Palembang", he said.

According to him, with the disclosure of the case, the Barelang Police saved 222,490 lives. The assumption is that 1 gram of shabu is enjoyed by 10 people.

Head of the Narcotics Investigation Unit, Commissioner Lulik Febyantara, stated that the disclosure of the case began with public information related to drug transactions in international waters, around Nongsa, Batam.

Then, his party received accurate information, the perpetrators carried out shipping from international waters (OPL) east of the Batam area to the sea waters of the Palembang area.

His party also found a suspicious ship in the waters of Buaya Island, Galang District. However, due to the weather and the situation at that time, it was not possible to carry out inspections, so the wooden ship and crew and luggage were brought to Batam.

The next day an inspection was carried out, and it was found that one checkered bag contained 17 packs of crystal methamphetamine and one red crackle bag containing 5 packs of methamphetamine. Everything is wrapped in Guanyinwang brand plastic packaging.

The suspect was charged with Article 114 Paragraph (2) Jo. Article 112 Paragraph (2) Jo. Article 132 Paragraph (1) of the RI Law No. 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, with the threat of capital punishment, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years.