Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative Taufik Kurniawan expressed appreciation for police, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Custom and Excise office unveiling and foiling attempt to smuggle 1.6 million tons of narcotics into the country on Tuesday.

Cooperation between the three agencies succeeded in arresting a a Taiwanese vessel flying Singaporean flag with 1.6 tons of methamphetamine in the sea off Anambas, Riau Islands.

"The narcotics would be a big threat to the nation, therefore, the success of the authorities to foil the smuggle of the drugs into the country is highly appreciable," Taufik said.

He called for more intensive patrol in the island province, which is more vulnerable as target for drug traffickers especially as Riau Islands shares borders with foreign countries - Singapore and Malaysia.

The authorities arrested Singaporeans - Tan Mai (69), Tan Yi (33) and Tan Hui (43) and Liu Yin Hua (63).

(T.SYS/A/H-ASG/B003)

Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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