Bareskrim Arrests Methamphetamine Courier Controlled by Surabaya Detention Centre Network

The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police has arrested a methamphetamine courier controlled by a network of inmates at the Surabaya Class 1 Detention Centre.

The Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that the arrest was carried out after receiving information regarding drug trafficking from Medan to Lombok.

“Information from the community indicated that someone was planning to send methamphetamine from Medan to Lombok via land travel,” he said in a written statement on Monday (14/9).

Following this information, Eko noted that Sub-directorate IV Commissioner Handik Zusen and NIC Task Force Commander Commissioner Kevin Leleury immediately conducted an investigation into the drug delivery route.

He mentioned that officers subsequently located the suspect, Sayed Zuwanda (23), while he was queuing at a port to board a ship.

Eko explained that the joint team conducted a check using K-9 units, which led to the discovery of methamphetamine inside Sayed’s car.

“Evidence was found consisting of five plastic packages, wrapped in green Chinese tea packaging and layered with bubble wrap, suspected to contain methamphetamine, hidden inside the spare tyre of a black Innova car,” he said.

Furthermore, Eko stated that Sayed confessed to receiving orders to deliver the illegal substances from inmate Andreansyah Bin Soleh Maulana, alias ALM, who is being detained at the Surabaya Class 1 Detention Centre.

“From the Surabaya Class 1 Detention Centre, it was found that the controller of suspect Sayed Zuwanda is Andreansyah Bin Soleh Maulana (ALM); from the interrogation of Andreansyah Bin Soleh Maulana (ALM), it was revealed that he is controlled by an individual named Haykal (currently a fugitive),” he added.

In exchange, Sayed was promised a fee of Rp27.5 million for the shipment of methamphetamine from Medan to Lombok. Eko noted that Sayed accepted the offer due to economic necessity.

“The wages already received by the suspect, Sayed Zuwanda, total approximately Rp27,500,000, which was sent in instalments to the suspect’s account,” he said.

Eko admitted that the authorities are currently focusing on expanding the investigation to other networks, including the individuals who ordered and the intended recipients of the methamphetamine.