Kualasimpang (Antaranews Aceh) - Indonesia`s National Anti-Narcotics Agency (BNN) has aborted an attempt by an international syndicate to smuggle 40.23 kilograms of methamphetamine from Malaysia into Aceh by sea.
Inspector General Arman Depari, BNN`s deputy for eradication, informed newsmen here on Friday that apart from confiscating the meth as evidence, BNN had also arrested four suspects known by their initials as AM, JN, SN, and HR during the operation.
Success was achieved owing to cooperation between the central office of BNN, BNN Aceh, and BNN Kota Langsa as well as the customs office that had launched a search for the suspects after receiving a tip-off from the community on an attempt to smuggle meth from Penang, Malaysia, by sea into Idi Rayeuk, Aceh Timur District, Aceh Province.
"The BNN team has successfully uncovered the narcotic crime by the Malaysia-Aceh international network by sea. Four suspects have been arrested with 40 bags of meth having a total weight of 40.230 kilograms from Penang as evidence," he remarked.
Depari noted that initially a tip-off was received from the community about meth being smuggled by sea from Penang into Indonesia through Idi Rayeuk, Aceh Timur.
On Jan 10, a team investigated it until they finally discovered a suspect later known as HR riding a motorbike, and they followed him.
"At around 5:45 p.m. local time, the suspect was arrested in front of his house in the hamlet of Petua Mae, Bagok Panah Peut Village, in the sub-district of Darul Aman, Aceh Timur. He was carrying 19 packs of meth placed in a bag," Depari explained.
Following developments in the case, the team later arrested AM, JN, and SN from their respective houses. The trio had different roles, with AM being the one who picked up the meth from sea and SN transferring the consignment carried by JN based on transactions between HR and AM.
"AM confessed to having smuggled 39 packs through the Malacca Strait along with JN. On AM`s order, JN kept 10 of them in the boat, which was just being repaired, and hid the 10 others in a chicken den belonging to SN," he remarked.
Depari noted that the four suspects were working for Dekbat, who had been on the wanted list.
If proven guilty, they could face a maximum punishment of a death penalty, he added.
