Customs suspect officers' involvement in smuggling

Thu, 04/23/2009 2:08 PM  |  City

TANGERANG: Customs and excise officers launched an investigation into the alleged involvement of security officers - who have access to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport's restricted area - in a failed cell phone smuggling plot Wednesday.

"We are investigating the involvement of airport officers who have helped smugglers avoid the check points," Customs and Excise office chief Eko Darmanto said Wednesday.

An officer was caught red-handed helping a Chinese national, named Luo Yidun, 22, who arrived from Hong Kong at the airport allegedly with a box full of smuggled cell phones.

"We stopped the man but the box containing the cell phones was not with him. We then found it in the hands of a security officer who was picking him up at terminal 2," Eko said.

Eko declined to reveal the name of the officer.

"Just wait for the progress *of the investigation*. We will make an announcement when we obtain enough evidence," he said.

According to Eko, the practice of smuggling cell phones using hand luggage has been rampant recently, especially with the assistance of officers who have access to the restricted area. - JP

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