Police To Tighten Control Against Drug Smuggling

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Feb 24 (Antara) - Belu district police said it will tighten control on the border area with Timor Leste against drug smuggling . Timor Leste (East Timor) has been suspected of being used by international drug rings to smuggle drugs across the border to Indonesia. Belu district police chief Adj.Sr Comr Daniel Yudo Ruhoro said police on duty at the border gate would make full use of available facilities to prevent illicit trade across the border. "All equipment and resources we have would be fully utilized to used against smuggling drugs into the country," Daniel said in Atambua on Monday. The border gate at Mota Ain, in the regency of Belu, has been reported as vulnerable to international drug trafficking because of minimum availability of detecting equipment. "In principle we would utilize the equipment and resources we have," Daniel said. He said the district police are preparing list of additional facilities and infrastructure needed to support police duty in the border areas. Proposal for additional equipment would be made based on the list, he said. He said the East Nusa Tenggara police had continue to coordinate with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Police Headquarters in Jakarta in the fight against international drug rings. In the border areas police cooperate with other elements including the military, the immigration and customs offices, he said. Each element has personnel and equipment to detect illegal activities including smuggle of drugs , he added. He said police also warn local people not to get involved in drug smuggling. "We hope the cooperation could work effectively in battling drug trafficking," he said.