The contraband was seized after the police received information about packages abandoned by an expedition service company in East Jakarta, in August 2019Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Police Force criminal investigation department for narcotics seized 70 kilograms (kg) worth of methamphetamine and 40 thousand ecstasy pills from five members of a narcotics syndicate of the Indonesian and Malaysian network. "The methamphetamine packets were packed inside Milo drink wrappers," said Director of the department's narcotics division Brigadier General Eko Daniyanto in Jakarta, Monday.
Aside from methamphetamine and ecstasy pills, the authorities also seized one kilogram of ketamine and four bottles of liquid codeine, which falls under the Drugs II category.
The contraband was seized after the police received information about packages abandoned by an expedition service company in East Jakarta, in August 2019, he explained.
"When one of the chests was finally opened, it contained Milo milk packages which turned out to have white crystal methamphetamine," Daniyanto said.
Thirty kilograms of methamphetamine were discovered in the package, he revealed.
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Based on the intelligence inputs received, the team learned that transactions were scheduled to take place in North Sumatra, allegedly related to the case.
"The team then carried out a stakeout for two weeks against a target named Safruddin," he said.
On October 7, investigators intercepted a vehicle driven by 42-year-old Safruddin and found 29kg of methamphetamine, 30 thousand ecstasy pills, and 1kg of ketamine.
Thereafter, on October 8, the team arrested Sudirman (35), Risaldi (25), and Bayu (26) in Pekanbaru.
Investigations against the suspects led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sebastian and the seizing of another 11kg worth of methamphetamine, 10 thousand ecstasy pills and four bottles of codeine, all of which were stored on a plantation near Piyai River in Indragiri Hulu.
The police then learned that Sebastian was working with another suspect named Ridwan, who depended on Anwar sending the drug packages from Johor, Malaysia.
"He used a speedboat from Malaysia while Sebastian used a small boat. The transfer of the illicit goods would happen in the middle of the sea," Daniyanto said. (INE)
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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi/Aria Cindya
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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