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Malaysian pair arrested for attempted crystal meth smuggling
Drug suspects: Malaysians Chang Cheng Weng (white shirt) and Boo Guan Teik show the packages of crystal methamphetamine wrapped around their waist to authorities at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali
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span class="inline inline-right">Drug suspects: Malaysians Chang Cheng Weng (white shirt) and Boo Guan Teik show the packages of crystal methamphetamine wrapped around their waist to authorities at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. They were caught attempting to smuggle 2 kilograms of the proscribed drug into the country. JP/Stanny Angga
Two Malaysian nationals were arrested Wednesday at Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport after allegedly attempting to smuggle in 2.2 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, officials say.
The two were identified as Chang Cheng Weng, 38, and Boo Guan Teik, 45. They were arrested after disembarking from a flight from Hong Kong at 3:30 p.m. local time.
Bali Customs and Excise Office head Faried Syibli Barchia said both had been carrying the drugs in plastic pouches tied around their waists.
“It’s actually quite an old trick,” he said.
“They were perhaps aware that it was too risky to carry the crystal meth in their luggage, and so thought it’d be safer to attach the drugs to their bodies.
“But our officers at the arrival gate suspected they were up to something from the moment they disembarked.”
Faried added his office would question the two before handing them over to the police.
During preliminary questioning, the suspects claimed they had been ordered by their boss, identified only as A-Bang, to take the drugs from Hong Kong to Bali. They said they were to be picked up by someone at the airport while awaiting instructions.
The two were taken into custody after customs officials at the airport’s arrival gate grew suspicious of them and searched in the adjoining examination room.
There, they found the crystal meth tied around the suspects’ waists. Each was carrying 1.1 kilograms of drugs.
Customs officials also seized the suspects’ passports, suitcases, pocketbooks and 4,300 yuan in cash.
Airport customs head Bambang Hariyadi said the two suspects had visited Bali twice in the past “to observe the situation”.
Last month, the airport’s customs officers arrested seven Iranians upon arrival in Bali for attempting to smuggle 4.5 kilograms of crystal meth that they had ingested.
Two weeks later, another Iranian was caught trying to bring in 200 grams of crystal meth capsules, also ingested.
Crystal meth is one of the top drugs of choice across much of the country, along with Ecstasy.
