TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Batam Customs recently thwarted a significant drug trafficking operation by seizing 10,955 grams of crystal meth. The seizure took place at two locations in Batam: Hang Nadim International Airport and a hotel in the Jodoh area.
Smuggling at Hang Nadim International Airport
The operation began on Thursday, January 23, 2025, when customs and airport security (AVSEC) officers detected suspicious packages inside two suitcases at the airport. The suitcases belonged to a male-female couple, RD and AM, both of whom were traveling under the guise of a vacation.
Initially, RD and AM seemed hesitant and tried to avoid interaction with the authority officers. However, after being searched, the officers found four transparent plastic packages containing white crystals tucked inside their jeans.
Details of the Shipment
The seized items included a total of eight packages of crystal meth, each weighing 280 grams. The drugs were intended for onward travel to Kendari, making use of the Batam-Jakarta-Makassar-Kendari route via Citilink Airlines.
Investigating the Network
Following the capture of RD and AM, the enforcement team, led by Muhtadi, the Head of Enforcement and Investigation Division of Batam Customs, formed a joint team and deployed the K-9 Unit to track down AWI, the controller central to the trafficking network.
On January 22, 2025, the couple, along with another individual named SASA, had been instructed by AWI to travel from Pekanbaru to Batam, purchasing tickets and staying together in a hotel in the Jodoh area.
The next day, SASA directed RD and AM to buy suitcases and clothing to fill the suitcases. SASA then provided the cash needed for travel, operational costs, and tickets. RD and AM left the hotel and went to Hang Nadim Airport using an online taxi.
The Capture of AWI and RE
The joint enforcement team managed to apprehend two individuals, identified as AWI, 25 years old, and RE, 22 years old, after a coordinated effort involving multiple locations.
The team raided five rooms used by the network. One room was designated for packaging the crystal meth, while the others served as courier and controller stations.
Discovered Evidence
During the search, law enforcement officials found 8,715 grams of white crystal powder suspected to be methamphetamine in one of the rooms. They also discovered items used for packaging the drugs, including digital scales, packaging tools, and a bong for inhalation.
The powder was meticulously packed into 27 plastic bags, each containing 280 grams, one bag of ‘Guanyinwang’ Chinese tea weighing 1,045 grams, a ziplock bag containing 100 grams wrapped in a cigarette packet, and a final ziplock bag with 10 grams, found in AWI’s wallet.
Additional Arrests
Alongside AWI and RE, nine more individuals involved in the network were arrested. They include QA, AWI’s wife; OKI, his sister-in-law; RE, his driver; DR, OKI’s sibling; NW, AWI’s cousin; RS, OKI’s friend; GR, AWI’s friend; and TES, RE’s wife.
SASA was identified as a key player in the operation, recruited by AWI as a courier. However, SASA managed to leave the hotel at 6:00 PM WIB, evading capture. AWI admitted that he had received the crystal meth from RO, the alleged mastermind of the syndicate.
Modus Operandi
AWI distributed the crystal meth four times as per RO’s instructions. The drugs were transported from Tanjung Balai Karimun, surrounding the beach area, by three individuals using a speed boat to AWI. He then brought the items to the hotel to refine and package them.
The suspicions of AWI and OKI recruiting family members and friends as couriers were confirmed. These couriers were offered incentives of up to Rp50 million per trip, while AWI managed the network’s logistics, including hotel bookings and the final delivery process.
Legal Consequences
The Drug Unit of the Barelang Police Resort named AWI, OKI, RD, and AM as principal suspects. AWI and OKI face stricter charges as the leaders of the network, while RD and AM are suspected of transporting the drugs.
RO, SASA, and another suspected member named NAWI are still at large, classified as wanted persons (DPO) by the police. All suspects are charged under the Narcotics Law Number 35 of 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
The Importance of Interception
The interception of this crystal meth shipment is a significant blow to a well-organized trafficking network. It demonstrates the commitment and effectiveness of Batam Customs in safeguarding community safety and national borders against illegal drug trafficking activities.
Efforts by law enforcement agencies like Batam Customs are vital in curbing drug crime. They play a crucial role in arresting individuals involved in smuggling and dismantling the trafficking networks that proliferate such illegal activities.
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