4 kgs crystal meth worth Rp 6b seized at airport

   Another bust: Customs and Excise Office at the Soekarno Hatta Airport displays four kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and an alleged drug smuggler (in orange suit) at the office in Cengkareng, Banten, on Wednesday. The female suspect was identified as MDF, 23, of Mozambique. JP/Multa Fidrus

Within less than three days, customs and excise officers have foiled yet another attempt to smuggle drugs into Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.

Bahaduri Wijayanta, airport customs office chief said on Wednesday his men arrested a Mozambican girl identified as MDF, 23, on Monday and seized 4 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine worth Rp 6 billion (US$666,000) from her.

MDF flew from Dubai on Emirates, Bahaduri said.

“When customs tactical unit (CTU) officers examined the suspect’s luggage, they found suspicious objects hidden inside it. When the luggage was opened it contained a number of Renault car spare parts,” he said.

Suspicious officers then opened the vehicle spare parts and found 4 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine wrapped in several plastic bags.

“However, our officers and the police failed to find the receiver, who was said to be waiting at a hotel in Slipi, West Jakarta,” Bahaduri said.

MDF used to work at a beauty salon in Mozambique and was asked by  man identified as A to carry the car spare parts to Indonesia with a tip amounting to US$ 800.
 
“This is her first trip to Indonesia and the suspect has no knowledge about the drug inside the car spare parts,” Bahaduri added.

The customs officers arrested three women at the airport over the weekend and seized 6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and heroin.