Drugs smugglers use East Timor to get into RI: Police

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

Police say that they have identified an international drug network, which uses East Timor as the gateway for the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs into Indonesia.

The network has been operating in Indonesia for some time, but was only identified after one of its members was arrested recently in Denpasar, Bali; East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Insp. Gen. Yacobus Jacky Uli said.

"Police have found evidence of the network. But we cannot share it with the press because further investigations are being undertaken," he said on Tuesday.

Last month, Bali Police narcotics head Sr. Adj. Comr. Bambang Sugiarto said his personnel had arrested four foreigners -- a New Zealander, a Frenchman, a Brazilian and an Argentinean -- for alleged drug dealing.

Police had confiscated 488 grams of hashish, 45.3 grams of cocaine and 0.2 grams of heroin from the men, he said.

Bambang said the suspects were believed to be involved in a drug ring operating across Thailand, and in Jakarta and Bali.

Yacobus said that the drugs smuggling network had started in Singapore and had originally based its operations in Belu regency, East Nusa Tenggara, and the Batam industrial island and other major Sumatra cities.

But because security was extremely efficient there, the network later changed its smuggling route, he added.

"As their operations were foiled, the smuggling route was changed to the airways from Dili (East Timor) and directly to Denpasar, Bali," he said.

However, he added police would now tighten security in the regencies of Belu and Timor Tengah Utara, particularly in Motaain, Metamauk and Napan, to stop drug smuggling.

The operation would involve security checks of all travelers to and from East Timor and the use of sniffer dogs and metal detectors at police posts, Yacobus added.

"There is already an agreement between immigration officials, police, and other security forces at the border areas, as well as the provincial administration, to increase security and thwart smugglers," he said.

Last year, Bali police arrested a British man with more than 8,000 ecstasy pills.

At least five foreigners are awaiting execution for drug offenses in other parts of Indonesia. Poor law enforcement, corruption and a high demand for drugs has made the country a lucrative market for dealers.