"In the first week of this holy month of Ramadan, we have uncovered two major cases of narcotics smuggling, with a total of five suspects and confiscated evidence reaching 255.96 kg of crystal methamphetamine," Head of BNN Petrus Reinhard Golose stated at a press conference held here on Thursday.
Golose remarked that based on the packaging and results of the BNN laboratory tests, the methamphetamine came from the Golden Triangle syndicate.
The hallmark of Golden Triangle's meth packaging is the use of Chinese tea packs.
The Golden Triangle is the hub for production of various types of narcotics in Southeast Asia and is located in the interior and mountainous areas of northern Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
The two recent major cases of drug trafficking occurred in East Aceh District and Bireun District, Aceh Province, he noted.
From the East Aceh case, the BNN managed to seize 203.99 kg of crystal methamphetamine on March 14, 2022.
In this disclosure, the BNN, in collaboration with the Customs and Excise, formed a joint team to conduct sea patrols and inspect a fishing boat that passed through the waters of Idi, East Aceh, Aceh, after midnight.
The agency caught three suspects identified by their initials as DA alias Yek, ZY alias Dek, and KK alias Apul.
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"The delivery of this type of methamphetamine is carried out by the Yan-Niar Narcotics Syndicate network in the East Aceh area," he added.
On March 15, 2022, the BNN team succeeded in thwarting a smuggling attempt of 51.97 kg of methamphetamine in Bireun District.
The BNN team arrested a man, with the initials RH, while crossing the Banda Aceh-Medan Highway, Bireun, Aceh Province.
"RH was found to have 51,971 kg of crystal methamphetamine wrapped in Chinese tea packaging," he remarked.
From the suspect's confession, RH was ordered by a man, with the initials B, and is still considered to be a fugitive by the BNN.
For their actions, the five suspects are charged under Article 144, paragraph (2) jo. Article 132 paragraph (1) subsidiary Article 112 paragraph (2) jo. Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics that carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
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Translator: Putu Indah S, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
