Jakarta – National Narcotics Agency (BNN) investigators claim to have uncovered a drug distribution network allegedly controlled by a prisoner they call Adam at the Cilegon Penitentiary.
"The drugs are believed to have originated from Malaysia and were transported via land from Jambi to Jakarta," said BNN eradication division deputy head Insp. Gen. Arman Depari in Jakarta as quoted by Antara news agency on Tuesday.
Adam was convicted for possessing 54 kilograms of methamphetamines and 41,000 ecstasy pills after he was arrested in 2016 during a BNN raid in Merak in Banten province.
He was originally sentenced to death, but in appeal had managed to reduce his punishment to 20 years in prison.
Adam's alleged involvement in the network was uncovered after law enforcers arrested four suspects at four separate locations during drug busts.
"This bust was successful because of the tip-offs by locals who were aware of an upcoming interprovincial drug delivery," said Arman.
Based from the locals' intel, BNN managed to apprehend suspects Darwis in Merak port and Minarwati in Cilegon, both in Banten. Both of them allegedly worked as couriers.
In addition, suspect Akbar was arrested at a warehouse containing drugs in Jambi, while recipient Chandra was apprehended in Jatinegara, East Jakarta.
Police say they confiscated 20 sachets of meth weighting 30 kilograms and 31,000 ecstasy pills from the four suspects. Nine mobile phones and a Toyota pickup truck were also confiscated.
"All the suspects and evidence will be taken into custody at the BNN office in Jakarta for further investigation," said Arman. (bry)