Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Directorate of Customs and Excise seized 52 kilograms (kg) of crystal methamphetamine concealed in 50 tea packs bearing Chinese lettering at Buruh Port in Indragiri Hilir District, Riau Province.

The BNN also took into custody three people, identified by their initials as R, F, and P, for allegedly smuggling the crystal meth from Malaysia, BNN Deputy for Combat Inspector General Aman Depari noted in a brief text message through Whatsapp on Sunday night.

The crystal meth was placed in two sacks that the BNN officers later seized.

During the raid, the anti-drug officers also took legal possession of a speedboat, motorcycle, car, communication device, and identity cards from the suspects.

The BNN was able to successfully thwart the attempt to smuggle the narcotics assignment on receiving a tip-off from the public that a Malaysian drug syndicate will smuggle drugs into Indonesia via the sea route, he revealed.

On Thursday (Apr 25), BNN officers become suspicious on spotting a speedboat moving closer to the coast and the rider meeting the driver of a car.

On checking the car and its driver, the officers located two sacks of crystal meth kept at a port post.

The driver of the speedboat was initially able to evade arrest by the BNN officers. Despite this, he was later detained in Batam in the neighboring Riau Islands Province on Friday along with another suspect acting as a controller. EDITED BY INE

Translator: Susylo Asmalyah, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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