"The smuggler had hidden the 97.3 grams of drugs."Sidoarjo (ANTARA News) - Juanda International Airport's customs officers have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 97.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, into Sidoarjo, East Java province.
"We seized drugs worth nearly Rp200 million (approximately US$20,750) from a suspect, identified as ST, from Madura Island," said Eko Darmanto, the head of intelligence at the airport's customs office, here on Thursday.
ST was arrested here on Monday (December 24) at 8.20pm local time after his arrival aboard an Air Asia flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Darmanto stated that the suspect tried to smuggle the drugs into the province by hiding them in the soles of his shoes, but the customs officers foiled his attempt.
"The officers started suspecting ST when they saw that he had only brought a few items, unlike the other passengers coming out of the international arrival gate," he explained.
"After conducting a thorough physical inspection, the officers found that the smuggler had hidden the 97.3 grams of drugs in four small packets hidden in his shoes," Darmanto continued.
"Then, the suspect and the evidence were sent to the Narcotics Directorate of East Java Police for further investigation," he added.
The suspect will be charged under Law No.35/2009 on Drugs Smuggling, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp10 billion.
(U.Y012/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
