MEDAN: The North Sumatra Police confiscated 244 kilograms of sabu (crystal methamphetamine) and detained nine people in three different cases of drug distribution and smuggling controlled by Malaysian syndicates.
Narcotics Crimes Investigation Directorate chief Sr. Comr. Andy Arisadi said the disclosure of the three cases involving Malaysian syndicates started with the discovery of 35 kg of sabu in Asahan regency on Aug. 19.
After investigating the case, detectives moved to East Aceh regency in neighbouring Aceh province and detained three suspects, identified as K, MN and Z.
“In the first case, we detained three people in East Aceh,” he told a press conference at the North Sumatra Police headquarters on Friday afternoon.
“We also seized a total of 50 kg of sabu hidden by the suspects in a vehicle wall.”
Andy said the suspects said they got 50 kg of sabu from someone identified as RG, who is still on the loose.
The suspects planned to transport the sabu to Jakarta for a fee of Rp 50 million (US$2,795).
Detectives then worked on the second case of 150 kg of sabu, which Andy said was the largest case investigated by North Sumatra Police’s narcotics detectives in the past three months.
The police seized four suspects, identified as B, MA, TM and M from several locations in East Aceh.
The suspects are also members of the Malaysia-Indonesia international syndicate.
“The 150 kg of sabu was smuggled from Malaysia through the waters off East Aceh on Sept. 9,” he said.
Andy said the 150 kg of sabu was seized from three locations.
In the first location, detectives seized 70 kg of sabu inside a Chevrolet pick-up and confiscated 20 kg of sabu inside a Daihatsu Xenia minivan.
Suspects also hid 60 kg of sabu inside two fibre fish boxes on a beach in Kuala Idi Cut village.
He said the international drug syndicate used disposable phones to avoid the police.
After the two cases, Andy said that detectives again confiscated 44 kg of sabu which was to be transported from Aceh to the North Sumatran provincial capital of Medan.
Detectives detained two suspects, identified as R and A, on the Trans-Sumatra highway in Besitang district, Langkat regency.
“Both suspects brought 44 kg of sabu from Aceh to Medan and hid the contraband inside the car’s doors,” he said.
“They said they were told by someone, identified as BP and still on the run, to take a car from Lhokseumawe and bring it to Medan.”
Andy said both suspects were promised a fee of Rp 25 million each.
“Narcotics detectives are still developing the case to arrest other related parties,” he said.
North Sumatra Police chief spokesman Sr. Comr. Ferry Walintukan said all suspects in the three cases were being detained at the provincial police force’s detention house.
“The North Sumatra Police are committed to eradicating drug distribution and cutting its networks in various regions,” he said.
He added that the suspects were charged with Article 114 (2) of Law No. 35/2009 on Narcotics, which carries the death penalty as the severest punishment and a maximum fine of Rp 10 billion. - Jakarta Post/ANN
