Drug smugglers deported

DENPASAR: An American and his Thai girlfriend suspected of smuggling drugs into Bali last week were deported to Guam Saturday, police said yesterday.

Bali police chief Col. Surya Dharma Lubis said Saturday that American Michael Miller, 48, and Thai Inthiharn Jaranya, 20, arrived here on board yacht Huma-Huma with a "large delivery" of marijuana.

Surya said Miller and Jaranya were detained at the Bali police precinct for two days before their deportation.

He said he believed Miller and Inthiharn maintain contacts with a foreign syndicate who handle their travel documents and sailing equipment for Huma-Huma.

Prior to their arrival, police had been closely watching both suspects, who had sailed in south Bali waters near Grajagan, Banyuwangi.

Surya Dharma said there was a warrant of arrest dated April 11, 1997 by a California district court to charge the suspects with violating American federal laws, conspiracy, corporate crimes, money laundering and the falsification of travel documents.

The yacht Huma-Huma, valued at Rp 1.5 billion (US$614,000), will also be returned to the United States, according to Antara. (01)