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ATAM: The police in Batam, Riau Islands, busted an international drug syndicate for smuggling in 1.7 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, worth Rp 2 billion (US$235,000). Police suspect the organization’s leader was the captain of a ferry serving Batam and Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Batam, Rempang and Galang (Barelang) Police narcotics unit chief Comr. Arif Bastari told reporters on Monday that the police were able to foil the group’s plan to smuggle crystal meth into the country thanks to the initial arrest of a drug trafficker at the Nagoya Newton hotel on April 15.

The police further developed the case and busted the syndicate on Sunday.

“The contraband that we seized in front of the Hotel Nagoya Newton was a small portion of the crystal meth smuggled into Batam from Malaysia. As we developed the case, the contraband was kept in a ferry serving Batam and Malaysia,” said Arif.

Police then arrested five suspects identified as MJ, 31, skipper of the Indomas ferry; A, 25, Gloria ferry engine room officer; A and H, 28, alleged drug dealers; and Y, a Gloria ferry crew member.

According to Arif, the contraband originated from Malaysia and was supposed to be taken to Batam by ferry’s crew. The crew then planned to take the drugs out of the ferry after the Batam Center International Port closed for operation.