Fortunately, the suspects' operation to smuggle drugs was thwarted by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) officials in the province during a drug raid operation on Saturday evening, Sen. Coms. Habi Kusno from the BNN-South Sumatra Office stated.
The duo were apprehended while transporting the drug packages into Musi River through the waterway of Jerik Hamlet in Giliran Dusun 3 Village, Muara Sugihan Sub-district, Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, Kusno was quoted as saying here on Monday.
This drug smuggling operation was busted owing to the sound synergy between the BNN-South Sumatra Office and the BNN headquarters in Jakarta, Kusno, who heads the BNN-South Sumatra Office's law enforcement unit, noted.
The suspects, currently under the BNN custody, notified the agency's investigators that the crystal meth and ecstasy packages were smuggled from Malaysia by those from Riau Province's drug syndicate by sea, Kusno remarked.
In preventing potential drug smuggling operations in future, the people's participation in Indonesia's war on drugs is deemed indispensable through valuable tip-offs given to both BNN and the National Police, he emphasized.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers perceive Indonesia as a potential market owing to its huge population and millions of drug users. Drug trade in the nation is valued at nearly Rp66 trillion.
People from all strata of society are falling prey to drugs in the country regardless of their socio-economic and professional backgrounds.
The Indonesian government has taken harsh punitive action against drug kingpins found smuggling and trading drugs in the country over the past few decades.
The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has also sought capital punishment for those involved in drug trade in the country.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.
However, this has failed to deter drug traffickers, who continue to treat Indonesia as a main market, prompting Indonesian law enforcers to step up vigil against them.
Sentient of real threats posed by both domestic and transnational drug rings in the country, Indonesia's new national police chief, Com. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has been urged to continue to strictly crackdown on such errant parties.
Andi Rio Idris Padjalangi, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), overseeing legal affairs, spoke of having appealed to Prabowo to maintain the National Police's sound synergy with the BNN and other related agencies.
The National Police should also continue to improve necessary infrastructure and equipment in the fight against drug crimes, Padjalangi stated.
Related news: Military tightens surveillance along Indonesia-Malaysia border Related news: Drug bust nets 20-kilogram meth haul for Riau Police
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Translator: Yudi A, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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