MALAYSIAN DETAINED FOR TRYING TO SMUGGLE IN ILLICIT DRUGS

Tangerang, Banten, June 25 (ANTARA) - A Malaysian national was on Thursday arrested by security officers of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for trying to smuggle in 1.900 kg of crystal methamphetamine from Hong Kong.

The illicit drugs were hidden inside a black bag, Bachtiar, head of the Banten customs and excise office, said here on Thursday.

The Malaysian, identified by his initials as KCM (35), was arrested after he had disembarked from a China Airlines flight from Hong Kong at Terminal II and a search on his luggage.

The crystal methamphetamine was estimated to be worth Rp2.2 billion and was believed to be sold directly to would-be buyers in Jakarta, Bahaduri Wijayanta Bekti Mukarta, head of the Soekarno-Hatta airport's customs and excise office, said.

In Line with the Law No.5/1997, a illicit drug smuggler could be sentenced up to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rp300 million.

The airport's customs and excise officers passed on the case to the national police's narcotic and organized crime directorate for further investigation.

Last May 21, 2009, another 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 recently.

The Malaysian, who was aboard a Chathay 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.

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.

In April 2009, 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.

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