BNN to use Interpol to uncover drug network

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) said on Wednesday that it would work with the National Police to use the Interpol communications systems to uncover international narcotics networks.

"The BNN will cooperate with the International Relations Division of the police to use the 1-24/7 and Aseanapol e-Ads communications networks belongeing to Interpol," BNN head Comr. Gen. (ret.) Gories Mere said after the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BNN and the police's International Relations Division.

"The 1-24/7 system is a communication network, often referred as the Interpol Global Communication System (ICGS), which operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week," he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

The MoU was signed by Goreis and Insp. Gen. Boy Salamun, the head of the police's International Relations Division, and was witnessed by Deputy Police Chief Comr. Gen. Nanan Sukarna.

"BNN's access to the Interpol system will benefit both the narcotics agency and the police. We can get important information on international narcotics trafficking networks, so it would be easier to uncover narcotics syndicates," Gories said.

Nanan said that the state paid Rp1 billion (US$104,000) per year to Interpol in order to access the system.

"[The amount] includes coaching," he said. (fzm/lfr)