Smugglers use E. Timor to get into RI: Police<\/p>\n
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara<\/p>\n
Police say that they have identified an international drug
\nnetwork, which uses East Timor as the gateway for the smuggling
\nof thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs into Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The network has been operating in Indonesia for some time, but
\nwas only identified after one of its members was arrested
\nrecently in Denpasar, Bali; East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Insp.
\nGen. Yacobus Jacky Uli said.<\/p>\n
\"Police have found evidence of the network. But we cannot
\nshare it with the press because further investigations are being
\nundertaken,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Last month, Bali Police narcotics head Sr. Adj. Comr. Bambang
\nSugiarto said his personnel had arrested four foreigners -- a New
\nZealander, a Frenchman, a Brazilian and an Argentinean -- for
\nalleged drug dealing.<\/p>\n
Police had confiscated 488 grams of hashish, 45.3 grams of
\ncocaine and 0.2 grams of heroin from the men, he said.<\/p>\n
Bambang said the suspects were believed to be involved in a
\ndrug ring operating across Thailand, and in Jakarta and Bali.<\/p>\n
Yacobus said that the drugs smuggling network had started in
\nSingapore and had originally based its operations in Belu
\nregency, East Nusa Tenggara, and the Batam industrial island and
\nother major Sumatra cities.<\/p>\n
But because security was extremely efficient there, the
\nnetwork later changed its smuggling route, he added.<\/p>\n
\"As their operations were foiled, the smuggling route was
\nchanged to the airways from Dili (East Timor) and directly to
\nDenpasar, Bali,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, he added police would now tighten security in the
\nregencies of Belu and Timor Tengah Utara, particularly in
\nMotaain, Metamauk and Napan, to stop drug smuggling.<\/p>\n
The operation would involve security checks of all travelers
\nto and from East Timor and the use of sniffer dogs and metal
\ndetectors at police posts, Yacobus added.<\/p>\n
\"There is already an agreement between immigration officials,
\npolice, and other security forces at the border areas, as well as
\nthe provincial administration, to increase security and thwart
\nsmugglers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Last year, Bali police arrested a British man with more than
\n8,000 ecstasy pills.<\/p>\n
At least five foreigners are awaiting execution for drug
\noffenses in other parts of Indonesia. Poor law enforcement,
\ncorruption and a high demand for drugs has made the country a
\nlucrative market for dealers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/smugglers-use-e-timor-to-get-into-ri-police-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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