Fadli, Jakarta – The Batam Customs and Excise Office uncovered two new methods to smuggle drugs from Malaysia, with combined evidence of about 1.5 kilograms of drugs, in two separate cases.
Recent operations revealed that drug syndicates have started using body cavities to smuggle drugs.
Batam Customs chief, Zaky Firmansyah, said the successful interceptions showed new, more daring smuggling methods.
"We respond to every new pattern with stricter supervision and more intensive patrols. The enforcement shows our commitment to eradicating drug smuggling," he told a press conference on Monday.
The first interception took place on Oct. 29 at the Batam Center International Ferry Terminal, when customs officers arrested a passenger, identified as MM, who was arriving on board MV Citra Legacy 5 boat from the Stulang Laut Ferry Terminal in Johor, Malaysia.
Officers were suspicious of MM after K-9 sniffer dog Oriel paid attention to the suspect. An in-depth search found drugs had been hidden in the suspect's anal cavity.
Results from abdomen X-ray at a hospital found 10 packages of drugs totaling 236 grams of sabu (methamphetamine) and 256 ecstasy pills.
MM managed to escape before customs officers captured him and he was handed over to the Riau Islands Police's Narcotics Crimes Directorate.
A customs team onboard the BC 15029 patrol boat also found a bag floating in the waters off Sau Island.
Officers believe the bag was intentionally dumped into the sea by the perpetrator to avoid enforcement by the customs patrol.
The bag contained nine sacks of methamphetamine with a total weight of 1.0293 kg. The goods were then handed over to the Riau Islands chapter of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). In total, customs officers confiscated some 1.5 kg of drugs
Drug mules
In a separate development, the police arrested two narcotics mules, identified as DGM, 37, and WR, 30, in Bangun Sari village, Silo Laut district, Asahan regency, North Sumatra, on Nov. 9.
"Both couriers were [...] offered Rp 3 million (U$179.21) per kilogram of sabu if they managed to bring the drugs to Palembang," Asahan Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Revi Nurvelani told a press conference at Asahan Police headquarters on Nov. 11, as quoted by Kompas.com.
With a total of some 76 kilograms, they were supposed to receive Rp 228 million from a person identified as D, who is still on the run.
"Currently we are still hunting D, who is believed to control the operation," Revi said.
He said that one of the suspects managed to bring 38 kg of sabu to Palembang on Oct. 26.
Both suspects are now being detained for further investigation and legal processing.
Revi said the suspects, residents of Air Joman district, were arrested at about 7:20 a.m. after the police received a tip off that they would pass Bangun Sari village on a Nissan X-Trail sports utility vehicle (SUV) carrying sabu.
"Officers then stopped and searched the car and found four bags containing 76 plastic sacks with a total weight of 76 kg," Revi said.
From initial questioning, both suspects said they were working under the direction of D. The police are still investigating the drug syndicate's network.