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UMAI: The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) said on Friday that it had arrested eight suspected members of an international drug syndicate that had attempted to smuggle 2.3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine into Indonesia.

'€œThe meth was brought from Malaysia to Dumai, Riau, using a speedboat on Aug. 11,'€ BNN spokesperson Sr. Comr. Slamet Pribadi said, as quoted by tempo.co.

Slamet said that the suspects were arrested in three different locations. Five of the suspects, all aged in their 30s, were arrested on a street in West Dumai, Riau. Meanwhile, two other suspects were arrested at a house in West Dumai and a final one, aged 29, who was believed to be the ringleader, was arrested in Berau in East Kalimantan.

Slamet explained that the syndicate was organized by Iranian migrants in Malaysia. It was suspected that the meth was on the way to Medan to then be distributed in Jakarta.

Police said one suspect confessed that he had already received Rp 20 million (US$1,450) of a promised fee of Rp 40 million for delivering the meth.

The eight suspects will be charged with violating Law No. 35/2009 on narcotics, which carries a maximum penalty of death.