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Police question witnesses in record meth-smuggling case
Jakarta Police have questioned several Indonesians as witnesses in a maritime drug-smuggling case involving four Taiwanese nationals who allegedly attempted to distribute 1 ton of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as sabu-sabu, in Greater Jakarta.
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National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso (right), together with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati (second right), Customs and Excise Director General Heru Pambudi (second left) and Military Police (Puspom) commander Maj. Gen. Dodik Wijanarko (left), show packages of crystal methamphetamine and pieces of potential evidence at a press conference in Jakarta on Nov. 18. (Antara/Reno Esnir)
The suspects, who have been identified as Lin Ming Hui, Chen Wei Cyuan, Liao Guan Yu and Hsu Yung Li, were arrested at a seaport in Anyer, Serang, Banten, on Thursday.
The supposed leader of the group, Lin Ming Hui, was shot dead while resisting arrest.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said an Indonesian national had helped the smugglers rent cars, buy food and find accommodation during their stay of one-and-a-half months in Greater Jakarta.
"We are still investigating whether this guide knew about the activity of the suspects, about the drug distribution," Argo said on Saturday.
Argo added that police were also questioning ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers who transported the suspects for their activities in Anyer and Jakarta, in a bid to learn about the places visited by the suspects.
Police would also summon the manager of the Mandalika Hotel in Anyer, the place chosen by the smugglers to bring the drugs ashore, he said.
The sea-smuggling operation is deemed to be the largest ever foiled in the country, with the meth valued at almost Rp 2 trillion (US$150 million).
"The lives of 2 million people may have been saved because we foiled the drug smuggling,” Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan said on Thursday. (wit)
