New technique helps officials detect drugs from S’pore

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam | Archipelago | Mon, April 01 2013, 8:01 PM

The Batam authorities revealed on Monday that by using a controlled delivery technique, they could confirm that 5.5 kilograms of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) detected by customs and excise officers in cargo at Hang Nadim International Airport on March 25, had come via Singapore.

It was the first instance of a drug smuggling attempt from Singapore being foiled by the Indonesian authorities. The neighboring city state is known for its imposition of strict controls on drug trafficking.

Riau Islands Police chief Brig.Gen. Yotje Mende told a press conference on Monday that the provincial police, via the National Police headquarters (Mabes Polri), had handed over their findings to the Internal Security Department and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore for further investigation. The Indonesian police had also alerted the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) because the drugs were produced in that country.

“I feel very proud with this finding because the drugs could be prevented from entering Batam,” said Yotje, adding that the police had arrested M.Raymond, 27, an alleged drug courier, as a suspect in the case.

Using the controlled delivery technique, he said, police could detect that the drugs – worth Rp 8.2 billion (US$841,148) were sent by P, a Malaysian citizen, to Singapore via the BBE Express PTE Ltd expedition company. The drugs were then sent to Batam via Changi International Airport in Singapore.

“The delivery technique is in layers but we could detect its connecting structure by using the controlled delivery technique and tracing the final destination of the delivery,” said Yotje. (ebf)