The suspect is an ex-model who frequently appeared on Malaysia's TV programsJakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta Metropolitan Police narcotics squad personnel arrested an ex-Malaysian model, identified as DY, in a drug raid operation at a luxurious apartment in South Tangerang, Banten Province, on Tuesday (December 10), according to a police officer.
This 39-year-old Malaysian woman was accused of being a member of a trans-national drug ring who smuggled a package of crystal meth from the neighboring country into Indonesia, West Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief, Sen. Coms. Hengki Haryadi, said.
"The suspect is an ex-model who frequently appeared on Malaysia's TV programs," Haryadi said in a press statement that ANTARA received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
DY is still in police custody for an intensive investigation into her alleged involvement in smuggling crystal methamphetamine or sabu-sabu that she packed in a chocolate powder can, he said.
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Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been embroiled in a vicious circle.
According to the National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report, some 50 drug use-related deaths occur in Indonesia. However, their deaths have failed to deter other drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.
The illicit drugs, particularly crystal meth, are frequently smuggled from Malaysia into Indonesia.
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On December 10, BNN thwarted a trans-national drug ring's attempt to trade 60 kilograms of crystal meth recently smuggled from Malaysia into Medan, the capital of North Sumatra Province.
The crystal meth, packed into 50 bags, was seized during a drug raid the BNN squad personnel conducted at a house on Pertiwi Street of Bantan Village, Medan Tembung Subdistrict, Medan city, on December 10, Inspector General, Arman Depari, revealed.
The illicit drugs were smuggled from a drug kingpin in Malaysia on a wooden boat into the Indonesian waters, said Depari, currently the BNN Eradication Division's deputy.
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The drugs were then transferred from the Malaysian vessel to another boat where a local drug courier transported it to the coastal city of Tanjung Balai in North Sumatra.
"From Tanjung Balai, the drug package was sent to Medan to be stored. It was packed again before being sold," Depari said, adding that a suspect only identified by his initials ZUL was arrested for allegedly storing, transporting, and selling the crystal meth.
To camouflage his crime, ZUL carried the crystal meth that he had packed in small and big bags by a "becak motor" (electric tricycle) to his buyers.
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Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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