Banten Police Failed To Smuggle Methamphetamine Through Merak Port

The Banten Police's Narcotics Directorate held a press conference to thwart the smuggling of 3 kg methamphetamine through Merak Port, at the Banten Police Headquarters, Serang, Friday (12/12/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Polda Banten)

The Banten Police's Narcotics Directorate thwarted the smuggling of 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine which will be sent to Jakarta, via Merak Port, Cilegon City, Banten.

The Director of Narcotics at the Banten Police, Kombes Erlin Tangjaya, said that his party detained four suspects, namely IM (51), FR (29), AN (31), and GN (30).

"The modus operandi of the suspect is to bring methamphetamine from the island of Sumatra to Java with gift paper packs used to dispel the officers' suspicions," said Erlindilansir ANTARA, Friday, December 20.

Erlin explained that the suspect IM from Aceh received an order from FS (DPO) to pick up a package of methamphetamine in West Sumatra.

IM admitted that he was contacted by a person named Taliong as a travel director. He used public transportation and ferries to cross from Sumatra Island to Java, and got off at the Merak Port pier on November 19, 2024.

While on the ship, IM was ordered by Taliong to deliver the methamphetamine package to the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta.

The police who checked passengers at the 7th dock of Merak Port suspected IM's luggage, then confiscated three packages of crystal methamphetamine weighing 3,041 grams, wrapped in gift paper.

Furthermore, IM was taken by the police to the meeting place with FR and AN at the hotel in the Tanah Abang area, then an arrest was made.

FR and AN admitted that they would receive packages ordered by WN (DPO). Both said that when they came into contact with IM, they were accompanied by WN's wife, GN.

GN was also secured to provide further information from the narcotics trafficking.

Erlin explained that the perpetrators were subject to multiple articles. "The articles that are suspected are Article 114 paragraph (2) and/or Article 112 paragraph (2) and/or 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics with the threat of death penalty," he said.

If it is assumed from the 3 kg evidence, every 1 gram is used by two people, the Banten Police can save as many as 6,000 lives.