West Nusa Tenggara’s office of the National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) arrested a 46 year old Aceh native, initialed as N, at Lombok International Airport for alleged drug smuggling.

N was arrested on Tuesday afternoon at the airport for allegedly smuggling 223.95 grams of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as sabu-sabu, from Batam, Riau Islands province, West Nusa Tenggara, BNNP chief Sr. Comr. Imam Margono said. N allegedly tried to smuggle the illicit drugs worth Rp 550 million (US$40,690) by stuffing them inside his rectum.

“We arrested suspect N at the Airport’s arrival terminal not long after he got off the plane from Batam,” Imam said on Wednesday.

The arrest was made thanks to cooperation between the agency, the central office of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), Mataram Custom and Excises Office and the Aviation Security Service at Lombok International Airport.

From the arrest, the agency seized four large capsule-like packs containing crystal meth.

“His modus operandi is stuffing the evidence inside his rectum to fool officials during security checks,” Imam said.

To officers, N said he had allegedly delivered sabu from Batam to Lombok twice based on an order by someone in Batam. He was paid Rp 5 million every time he concluded his task.

N could be charged under the 2009 Law on narcotics with a maximum life sentence or death penalty.

The BNNP handed over the case to the BNN center office in Jakarta to reveal drug networks related to the suspect, Imam added. (rin)