Authority destroys drugs at airport

Multa Fidrus ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Tangerang   |  Fri, 05/16/2008 12:46 PM  |  City

Authorities at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport destroyed drugs estimated to be worth more than Rp 118 billion (US$12 million) Thursday.

Airport customs and excise chief Rahmat Subagio said the drugs, which all came through Hong Kong, were found in passengers' luggage and delivery packages between Feb. 20 and May 13 this year.

He said the drugs found were 485.4 grams of cocaine, 22,020 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and 8,387 ecstasy pills, all of which were confiscated by customs in eight smuggling attempts from Hong Kong into the country.

"We have handed 10 of the 16 smuggling suspects over to police for further procedures," he said.

Most of the smugglers wrapped the drugs in aluminum foil bags and food containers before putting them in their luggage and water filter tubes.

Of the drug smuggling suspects arrested at the airport, eight were Taiwanese, three Malaysian, two Thai, one British and two Indonesian.

Airport police chief Sr. Comr. Guntur Setyanto said drug smuggling attempts through the airport have been on the rise since December.

"Drug syndicates use us to smuggle drugs into the country, so I call on everyone to collaborate," he said.

In a discussion on the rise in drug smuggling, Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah said she was ready to work for the battle against drugs abuse.

A  |   A  |   A  |    |   |    |    |    |  

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.