JAKARTA - Indonesian police have seized 35 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and arrested five suspects in operations across Riau and West Sumatra, as investigators probe links to a coordinator allegedly based in Malaysia.
Riau Police Narcotics Investigation Director Senior Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira said the case was uncovered following intelligence about a planned large-scale drug shipment entering Indonesia through the waters off Bantan, in Riau province’s Bengkalis regency.
He said four suspects were arrested in separate operations in Bengkalis, Kampar and Pekanbaru on Oct 21, followed by a fifth in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, on Oct 23.
Their suspects’ nationalities were not disclosed.
"Based on the interrogation, one of the suspects admitted to being directed by a coordinator based in Malaysia,” he said in Pekanbaru on Tuesday, according to Indonesian state news agency Antara.
Putu said police were also pursuing another suspect allegedly responsible for travelling to Malaysia to collect the drugs. The suspect has been placed on the wanted list.
Meanwhile, according to local media reports, the seized drugs were estimated to be worth Rp62.9 billion (RM14.16 million).
Investigators suspect the drugs were intended for distribution in Riau, North Sumatra and South Sumatra. - BERNAMA