Customs and Excise officers at Adisutjipto International Airport in Yogyakarta have foiled another drug smuggling attempt.

A 41-year-old woman from India, identified only by the initials EH, was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 2,800 grams of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as shabu-shabu, in her luggage.

EH was caught carrying the crystal meth after arriving on Silk Air flight No.MI-151 from Singapore, customs officials said.

'The suitcase was left on the plane. After we examined it, it was discovered that the suitcase belonged to an Indian citizen, EH, and we arrested her in a hotel near the airport, on Monday,' said Yogyakarta Customs and Excise director general, Agung Kuswandono, on Wednesday.

He said his officers also confiscated the crystal meth, which was packed in three packages, worth around Rp 5.6 billion (US$467,250).

'We should not only see the value but also its large-scale destructive effect on the younger generation as it was enough for 11,200 people,' said Agung.

On Nov. 8, Yogyakarta Customs and Excise Office foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.8 kilograms of shabu-shabu.

Those drugs were allegedly smuggled by an Indonesian migrant worker hailing from Madura, identified only by the initials AF, on a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Agung said both suspects had been transferred to Yogyakarta Police for further investigations.

Yogyakarta Police head of narcotics directorate, Adj.Sr.Comr.Bhakti Nur, said the suspects would be charged under Article 102 (e) Law No.10/1995 on Customs.

'National Narcotics Agency (BNN) data show that Indonesia's drug users amount to 4 million people. This is quite a large figure and drug dealers will always find ways to meet their demand,' said Bhakti. (ebf)

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