The suspects were arrested from three different villages in Jeunieb sub-district of Bireuen district, Aceh, director of Narcotics Crime of the Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim), Brig.Gen Pol Krisno Halomoan Siregar, informed on Thursday.
"The arrests were made in three locations: the Public Port of Matang Bangka village, Blang Mee village, and Meusanah Tambo village," he said.
Of the 11 suspects, four are believed to be part of the drug delivery group. They have been identified as KM (37) and MD (23), ship crew, skipper ES (35), and a prisoner at Lhokseumawe correctional facility, MA (36), who was serving as controller.
Seven other suspects acted as receivers of the smuggled methamphetamine, Siregar said. They have been identified as SI (50), SN (53), KR (23), IZ (40), MR (25), SY (63), and SB (41).
Siregar said police conducted a month-long investigation after receiving a tip-off about a plan to smuggle a huge cache of drugs from Malaysia to Bireuen in Aceh using a fishing vessel.
On January 27, 2021, police scouted locations believed to be used by the syndicate to anchor the vessel at the Public Port of Matang Bangka village.
"However, before the ship entered the port, all the suspects tried to flee by jumping into the sea.The police joint team chased them and captured all the suspects," Siregar said.
On board the fishing vessel, police found 343 boxes of methamphetamine, weighing 343,380 grams, a satellite phone, three GSM cellular phones, and the ship's documentation.
"We developed the case and on February 2, 2021, the team arrested some other suspects in Blang Mee village and Meusanah Tambo village and seized some evidence," Siregar added.
In Blang Mee village, police seized 120.96 grams of methamphetamine, one digital scale, and one cellular phone. Meanwhile in Meusanah Tambo village, police seized 6.66 kg of methamphetamine, one cellular phone, and one three-wheeler.
"The total weight of the seized methamphetamine is 353 kilograms," Siregar informed.
The suspects have been charged under Law No. 35/2009 on Narcotics, he said. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Sri Haryat
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
