MALAYSIAN NATIONAL ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO SMUGGLE IN ILLICIT DRUGS

Tangerang, Banten, May 21 (ANTARA) - A Malaysian national identified by his initial as KCT (36) was arrested by security officers of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, for trying to smuggle in 1.683 kg of crystal methamphetamine from Hong Kong.

The illicit drugs were wrapped in 98 small packages as if they were candies, Eko Darmanto of the Soekarno-Hatta airport's customs and excise office, said here on Thursday.

The Malaysian, who was aboard a Chatay Pacific plane from Hong Kong, was arrested upon his arrival at Terminal II.

The crystal methamphetamine was estimated to be worth Rp3.3 billion and was believed to be sold directly to would-be buyers in Jakarta, he said.

The airport's customs and excise officers delivered the case to the national police's narcotic and organized crime directorate for further investigation, he said.

Last May 16, the customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta airport had arrested a Singaporean national, LKM (40), for trying to smuggle in 2.1 kilograms of methamphematine.

The suspect flying from Hong Kong aboard a Cathay Pacific plane packed the drug into eight packages and slipped them in-between his thighs.

Last April, Surabaya authorities detained a Thai national for trying to bring in 2.67 kg of heroin, and a Chinese national for attempting to smuggle in 8,790 ecstasy pills.