SOUTH SULAWESI: South Sulawesi Police chief Insp.Gen.Anton Charliyan said Nusantara Parepare Port must be immediately equipped with an X-ray screening system, as it was prone to drug smuggling.
“We have used the K9 unit to detect passengers and their belongings when they arrive at Nusantara Parepare Port but their capacities are very limited. Therefore, we hope screening facilities at the port can be improved so that drug smuggling can be minimized,” he said at the South Sulawesi Police headquarters in Makassar on Monday.
According to official data, the Parepare Police have foiled 10 attempts to smuggle crystal methamphetamine via Nusantara Parepare Port in August. Since January, the police have foiled attempts to smuggle 26 kg of crystal meth.
Anton said the Parepare port needed large-capacity X-Ray machines, as ship passengers tended to bring a lot of luggage.
State-owned seaport operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) IV corporate secretary Baharuddin M. said the procurement of screening equipment for Nusantara Parepare Port and Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar had been scheduled for next year. He acknowledged that security authorities in the two seaports were still using manual detectors.
“This year, or next year at the latest, Makassar and Parepare seaports will be equipped with X-Ray machines,” said Baharuddin.
Apart from Makassar and Parepare, Bone and Barru ports are also identified as the main points for drug smuggling in South Sulawesi.
