Bali is 'a narcotics transit hub'<\/p>\n
Reuters, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Smugglers are using the resort island of Bali as a waystation for
\nnarcotics distribution, the country's police chief said on
\nTuesday, following the arrest of nine Australians in Bali on
\nallegations of heroin trafficking.<\/p>\n
Indonesian police, working closely with their Australian
\ncounterparts, netted more than 11 kg of heroin, most of it seized
\nat Bali's airport where five of the nine Australians were
\narrested on Sunday as they were about to leave for Sydney.<\/p>\n
The others were arrested at a Bali hotel where more heroin,
\nscales and other equipment were found, police said.<\/p>\n
"This is another case where Bali has been used as a transit
\nplace for those carrying narcotics. It is likely that there is a
\nsyndicate behind this, but they always use a cell system,"
\nNational Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said.<\/p>\n
"This is quite a big catch and can at least serve as a
\ndeterrent," Da'i told reporters. "But they have their own spies.
\nSo when we are tough on the Bangkok-Jakarta-Denpasar line, they
\nusually find a diversion like a city with lower surveillance,
\nsuch as Manila."<\/p>\n
The police chief said heroin in Indonesia mostly comes from
\nthe Golden Triangle -- the area where the borders of Thailand,
\nMyanmar and Laos meet -- and moves through Thailand.<\/p>\n
Da'i added that his force was working hand-in-hand with the
\nAustralian Federal Police to sever the drug traffic in Bali.<\/p>\n
"They have given us big support, including taking action
\nagainst their own citizens," the police general said.<\/p>\n
The arrests come amid a controversial marijuana smuggling
\ntrial in Bali of another Australian, Schapelle Corby. Indonesian
\nauthorities accuse her of attempting to import 4.1 kg of cannabis
\ninto the tourist island last year.<\/p>\n
Corby has said she did not know the drugs were in her bag and
\nher lawyers have said they could have been planted in Australia.
\nThe 27-year-old, who faces a possible death sentence, has fallen
\nsick causing proceedings to be delayed.<\/p>\n
The Corby case has attracted wide publicity in Australia, and
\na death penalty could put a big dent in the increasingly positive
\nties between the two neighbors, who periodically experience
\nrelationship problems.<\/p>\n
Canberra has requested that Indonesian prosecutors not seek
\nthe death penalty for Corby in the event she is found guilty.<\/p>\n
Without mentioning the Corby case, police chief Bachtiar said
\nthat generally for all drug cases, "we hope that the legal
\nprocess will be strictly carried out".<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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