To hoodwink law enforcers, the drug traffickers concealed the drug packages in tens of sandbags containing corn seed, BNN Eradication Division Deputy Inspector General Arman Depari noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here on Wednesday.
The drug raid operation led to the crystal meth packages being confiscated and six suspects being apprehended, Depari confirmed, adding that the cargo truck originally came from Lampung Province.
According to ANTARA, Lampung is one of the provinces in Sumatra Island that is vulnerable to drug crimes.
On July 21, the BNN-Lampung Office's drug raid operation resulted in the seizure of 16.53 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 8,996 ecstasy pills and the arrests of three drug dealers.
The suspects, identified as Sukirman (28), Eko Riyanto (39), and Suyoko (40), are all residents of Lampung, the agency's head, Brig. Gen. I Wayan Sukawinaya, remarked in Bandarlampung, the capital of Lampung Province, early this week.
The local BNN officers launched a 14-day investigation to corroborate the accuracy of a tip-off received from a community member that several packages of illicit drugs were kept in the Jatiharjo Hamlet of Tegineneng Sub-district, Pesawaran District.
Confirming the authenticity of the tip-off, the agency's personnel then launched a simultaneous drug raid operation on July 21, 2020, by deploying four teams to arrest the suspects at their respective houses.
A total of 16 huge packs of crystal meth weighing over 16 kilograms and three packs of 8,996 ecstasy pills were seized during the drug raid operation. The suspects concealed the drug packages under bunches of wood and a grave in proximity to a house.
Eko Riyanto, one of the three arrested suspects, confessed to police investigators that the drug packages belonged to Dodo, another suspect, who is still a fugitive, Sukawinaya remarked.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers perceive Indonesia as a potential market based on its vast population and millions of drug users. Drug trade in the country is valued at nearly Rp66 trillion.
People from all sections of society, regardless of socio-economic and professional backgrounds, are falling prey to drugs.
Among drug users are those from the country's entertainment industry, as is evident from the arrests of several entertainers over consumption and also trade of illicit drugs.
Related news: Aceh's law enforcement apparatus seized 219.87-kg meth in Jan-July
Related news: BNN-Lampung arrests three, seizes 16.5-kg meth, 8,996 ecstasy pills
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Fathur R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
