"Following a regular check on a package sent from Shenzhen, China, by FedEx on March 18, we have uncovered a small marijuana-based tobacco factory (in Denpasar)," Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, the Soekarno Hatta Airport Customs Office head of investigation, stated on Thursday.
The package, with a "plastic deck" label, was planned to be delivered to an Indonesian citizen, MA, who stays in Jalan Pemuda III No.23, Renon, Denpasar.
However, before being sent, the customs officer found that the package contained a type-1 "5-Fluoro ADB" drug that had been concealed in yellow powder.
Following the finding, the Customs Office contacted the Police for "control delivery" of the package.
The package was received on March 20 by a man with initial KAP (20). After questioning the suspect, the joint forces of Customs Offices and Police went straight to the factory, which is situated at Pesona Paramitha, Jalan Tunjung Sari No.2 Block 2, Padangsambian, West Denpasar, Bali.
After launching a raid to the factory, Husni Syaiful, head of Bali-Nusa Tenggara Customs Office, remarked that the security officers have detained KAP`s brother, EP (24), and a relative SR (19).
"KAP has admitted that he ordered the type-1 narcotic online through Whatsapp messenger from a dealer overseas," Syaiful noted.
The illicit drug, he stated, is part of materials used to produce synthetic marijuana (Gorilla) tobacco, which is marketed to Bandung and Jakarta.
The suspects revealed that they have rented the factory and started the Gorilla tobacco production for two months.
Meanwhile, the Ngurah Rai Airport Customs Office chairman, Himawan Indarjono, noted that the joint forces have seized other drugs, including 783 grams of 5-Fluoro ADB, 377 grams of FUB-AMB, 7.910 grams of synthetic marijuana, and 5.992 grams of Gorilla tobacco inside 188 packs under the "Blue Astronaut" label.
The officers also secured other stuffs, including 0.010 grams of dried tobacco, 699 pieces of cigars, 26 bottles of various flavors, 21 bottles of coloring fluids, three bottles of alcoholic drinks, 490 pieces of empty cans, five units of digital scales, and one unit of mixer.
Reported by I Made Surya
(Uu. KR-GNT/INE)
(UU.KR-GNT/A/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
