BNN-PNTL Uncover Drugs Smuggling Case

Jakarta - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) have uncovered a case of smuggling of 6.7 kilograms of shabu-shabu (methamphetamine). "The drugs were hidden by the suspects in a suitcase, which was reported as lost baggage. Subsequently, they collected the suitcase and the backpack from the 'lost and found' counter in Dili Airport, Timor-Leste," said Police Inspector General Benny Mamoto, Deputy of Drug Eradication of BNN, on Monday. He added that the police detained four Indonesian citizens (WNI) with the initials RS, SY, AG, AT and one South African citizen with the initials ST. "They used the Medan - Jakarta - Kupang - Atambua ¿ Dili route to smuggle drugs," Mamoto said. The drugs originated in India and travelled through Singapore - Dili - Atambua - Kupang - Surabaya - Jakarta - Medan. After the smuggling of shabu-shabu, the suspects returned via the Dili - Atambua - Kupang - Jakarta ¿ Medan route. "The five suspects were detained in PNTL's office on Friday (Oct 26), and the PNTL handed them over, along with the evidence to the BNN for investigation in Indonesia," he said. Mamoto informed that the drug syndicates using the Dili route were from Nigeria. "It is a Nigerian syndicate. In addition, they were linked to the existing network inside and outside of the penitentiaries (Lapas) and we are still looking for the other suspects," he added. (*)