Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The East Java National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has nabbed three suspected members of a drug syndicate and confiscated a total of 19.93 kilograms of marijuana to be sent to Bali from Banyuwangi, East Java.
East Java BNN Chief Brig.Gen Bambang Budi Santoso said the three were arrested separately with the first identified as NR (33) from Glenmore, nabbed at Jalan Jember in Banyuwangi on March 23.
BNN confiscated a box of 14 packages of marijuana totaling 12.07 kg from NR. The anti drug officers also seized a cellular phone, money Rp400,000, and a Honda motorbike from the suspect.
The suspect told the BNN officers that he received order from two men identified as Pak Mat and Pak Suki in Bali to bring the drug to be handed over to someone at Hotel Duta Banyuwangi, Bmabang said here on Wednesday.
Investigations showed that the orders from both Pak Mat and Pak Suki were received by NR via the same hand phone, which was traced to the Grobogan prison in Bali, Bambang said on Wednesday.
Further investigations led to the arrest of SK (34) from Muncar, Banyuwangi. The BNN officers also confiscated 7 kg of marijuana in nine packs, a hand phone and a Honda motorcycle.
"The 19.93 kg of marijuana were to be sent to Bali via Jember by a courier identified as DD . DD was to carry the illicit drug to Denpasar, but before he did he was arrested by BNN," Bambang said.
He said the existence of Pak Mat and Pak Suki, who were at the Grobogan prison based on the addressed shown in the hand phone of NR have yet to be confirmed.
Coordination would be needed with the law authorities in Bali to fully uncover the syndicate, he said.
The marijuana came from Bireuen, Aceh, brought to Banyuangi by plane from the Kualanamu airport of Medan, he said without giving details who brought the marijuana from Kualanamu to Banyuangi.
Bambang said based on information from the suspects they received order from someones in jail.
Former BNN Chief Com.Gen. Budi Waseso said most drug traffics in the country were controlled by convicts in prison cells.(*)
