The suspect’s identity card had also been altered. This is a modus operandi involving manipulation of identity,
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, has revealed that some drug couriers or traffickers have begun using migrant worker status as a cover to smuggle drugs.

According to the minister, in several drug-related cases, traffickers disguised themselves as migrant workers to gain entry into certain countries.

“In some cases, although they claim to be migrant workers, they depart through illegal or non-procedural channels,” Karding said during a press conference on the destruction of narcotics evidence here on Wednesday.

He said the discovery follows two recent drug busts. The first involved a trafficker in Africa who claimed to be a migrant worker; however, verification by the ministry disproved this claim.

The second case involved the attempted smuggling of two tons of methamphetamine through the Riau Islands by a woman identifying herself as “Dewi Astutik,” who was also suspected of being the mastermind.

Related news: Remain alert against drug syndicates, BNN tells migrant workers



The drugs were seized on the KM Sea Dragon Tarawa ship in the waters off Karimun, Riau Islands, during a recent operation.

Further investigation revealed that “Dewi Astutik” was not the suspect’s real name. The woman had changed her identity for criminal activities.

In addition to using a false name, she also falsely claimed to be a migrant worker, while in reality she was trafficking drugs.

“The suspect’s identity card had also been altered. This is a modus operandi involving manipulation of identity,” the minister said.

“Dewi Astutik” has been found to be from East Java province and is wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in connection with the methamphetamine smuggling case.

Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Marthinus Hukom, said that the trafficked methamphetamine was intended for distribution across Southeast Asian countries.



Related news: BNN, ministry join forces to safeguard migrant workers security system

Translator: Agatha, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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