"We are still digging deeper into the cases involving Indonesian women in these smuggling operations," said Police Senior Commissioner Ardiansyah, Head of Law Enforcement and Intelligence at the BNN South Sulawesi Office, on Saturday.
Preliminary investigations revealed that limited economic opportunities were a major factor in the women’s recruitment by Malaysian drug lords, who enlisted them to smuggle methamphetamine into Makassar, South Sulawesi.
After arriving in Makassar, the suspects reportedly continued to Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, to deliver the drugs to local dealers.
"We have arrested four people in Kendari, while one suspect remains at large," Ardiansyah said, adding that the drugs were intended for distribution in Makassar and Kendari.
Earlier reports indicated that the eight drug couriers were apprehended for allegedly smuggling 2,204 grams of crystal meth from Malaysia into South Sulawesi between May 25 and June 14.
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The suspects—identified only by their initials VH, M, AN, KT, SR, H, S, and JS—were arrested at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in joint operations by customs, police, and BNN personnel.
According to Djaka Kusmartata, Head of the Customs and Excise Office for Southern Sulawesi, the seized methamphetamine—confiscated between May 25–27 and June 14—is valued at over Rp2.42 billion (more than US$146,500).
Kusmartata said the seizure likely prevented over 10,000 people from falling into drug use and addiction.
Six of the eight suspects are women. They had flown to Makassar on AirAsia flight AK 334 and Malaysia Airlines flight MH 847 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To smuggle the drugs, they used a body-strapping method, hiding packages in undergarments or footwear.
Authorities say drug syndicates continue to target Indonesia due to its large population and the high number of drug users, making it a lucrative market for narcotics trafficking.
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Translator: M.Darwin F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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