The crystal meth, which was destroyed in an incinerator on Thursday, was smuggled into Paloh sub-district, Sambas district, and Sekayam sub-district, Sanggau district, on June 3, 2022.
The five suspects, identified as Mul (44), Maw (38), SRH (20), EP (20), and Rid (47), were apprehended during a drug raid, head of the BNN-West Kalimantan Office, Budi Wibowo, said in a press statement that ANTARA received here on Friday.
Of the suspects, EP is registered as a resident of Ranai, Riau province, while the others are locals, he added.
The drug case was uncovered following the arrest of three persons in Singkawang city, West Kalimantan province, on June 3.
On the day the suspects were arrested, a joint team of West Kalimantan's anti-drug squad failed to find the drug package. However, they managed to track the package after determining the whereabouts of Mul.
Mul was tasked with transporting the drugs by car to Pontianak from Paloh sub-district and was supposed to give them to Rid, Wibowo said.
Mul told BNN investigators that Rid had asked him to deliver the package to him in Pontianak. However, according to Rid, the drug package was ordered by ER, he added.
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The anti-drug squad is still looking for ER, Wibowo informed, adding that the suspects have confessed that they were to be paid between Rp5 million and Rp10 million for each kilogram of crystal meth delivered.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers view Indonesia as a potential market owing to its huge population and millions of drug users. The 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 socioeconomic and professional backgrounds.
Over the past few decades, the Indonesian government has taken harsh punitive action against drug barons found smuggling and trading drugs in the country.
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The BNN has 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 vigilance against them.
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Translator: Andilala, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
