115.5 kgs of ganja seized

TANGERANG (JP): The local military district command arrested a suspected member of a marijuana dealing syndicate on Wednesday and seized 115.5 kilograms of the drug from the man.

It was concealed in 13 packages placed in nine boxes of mangoes which were sent via a courier company from Banda Aceh through a travel agency for egg seller Munawar Abdul Aneuk, 32.

Military commander Lt. Col. Meris Wiryadi said on Thursday that the arrest was made after his officers became suspicious when the nine boxes were being unloaded at the travel agency, identified only as PMTOH, from a bus which arrived from Banda Aceh.

"Asked about the content of the packages which seemed lighter than the size, the bus crew said they were mangoes," Meris said.

Officers were unconvinced by the explanation and remained at the travel agency.

Munawar and his driver Hasan picked up the boxes and put them in their van, Meris said.

Aware that their vehicle was being followed by officers, the men attempted to flee in the van, he added.

The officers caught up with them and instructed them to pull over to allow examination of the content of the boxes, he said.

Munawar told officers that a relative informed him he was sending mangoes for sale at Ciputat Market.

The two men and the evidence, including the mangoes, were submitted to the Tangerang Police for further investigation on Thursday. (emf)