Indonesian police seize14 kg meth in cross-border Malaysia-linked network
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- Polri says it seized 14 kilograms of crystal meth in Riau from an Indonesia–Malaysia trafficking network, arresting multiple suspects.
- Investigators allege the shipment was coordinated by an inmate in Dumai using a mobile phone smuggled into the detention facility.
- Police estimate the drugs were worth about Rp 26.5 billion and claim the seizure may have prevented distribution to roughly 73,000 people.
The National Police (Polri) has uncovered a cross-border Indonesia–Malaysia drug trafficking case involving kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (sabu-sabu) allegedly controlled by an inmate at the Class II B Dumai Detention Center (Rutan Dumai) in Riau.
Brig. Gen. Eko Hadi Santoso, director of narcotics crimes at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the operation was the result of coordination between Bareskrim’s Narcotics Directorate, the Pekanbaru Customs and Excise regional office, and authorities at the Dumai detention facility.
He said the case began after investigators received information that a Malaysia-based syndicate had smuggled meth from Malaysia into Ujung Tanjung, Rokan Hilir regency, Riau.
Following surveillance and an investigation, police arrested a man identified only by the initials PR while he was carrying a jerrycan containing plastic-wrapped packages of meth.
Initial questioning found that PR was a former drug courier who had previously served a prison sentence. He told investigators he had been asked by another suspect, identified as GR, to pick up the jerrycan.
“PR already knew the item contained narcotics,” Eko said.
Investigators later arrested GR. During questioning, GR said he had acted on orders from his father, identified as HW, who is currently serving time for a narcotics case at the Dumai detention center.
Separately, HW told investigators he had received an offer from a person identified as AT regarding the meth via a mobile phone that had been smuggled into the detention facility.
After learning that his son GR had been detained by police, HW said he destroyed the phone in anger.
“After finding out his son GR had been secured by officers, HW slammed the mobile phone he used to communicate and damaged it,” Eko said.
Eko added that investigators would continue to develop the case, including tracing other suspects believed to be involved and examining additional witnesses and suspects.
The one-star general said the seized kilograms of meth was valued at around billion and that the bust potentially prevented the drugs from reaching an estimated people.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
