JAKARTA: A joint operation conducted by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Customs and Excise Directorate General has foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country 2.17 kilograms of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) worth Rp 2.82 billion (US$214,928) hidden inside close circuit television (CCTV) equipment.
“The crystal meth was wrapped in aluminum foil and clear plastic bags and hidden inside CCTV equipment,” Customs and Excise Office head Fadjar Donny Tjahjadi said as quoted by Antara in North Jakarta on Wednesday.
He said the attempt was foiled after the BNN received a tip off that there would be an attempt to smuggle narcotics via sea routes.
Following up on the information, the Tanjung Priok Customs and Excise Office traced the drug shipment to a container area.
“The office conducted observations and found the drugs were already in the imported goods warehouse of the port,” said Fadjar.
He said the crystal meth was divided into 12 packs. The first six packs weighed a total of 1.03 kilograms while the remaining six packs weighed 1.146 kg.
The Customs and Excise Office handed over the drugs to the BNN for investigation.
“We are investigating the alleged smugglers as the case was conducted by a drug network,” said BNN spokesperson Sr.Comr. Slamet Pribadi.
He said the crystal meth was smuggled to Indonesia via sea routes from China via Hong Kong and Singapore.