Flower delivery not all sunshine and roses as opium stalks found
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
The customs and excise office at the Soekarno Hatta International Airport foiled the delivery of 30 stalks of Papaver somniferum, otherwise known as the opium poppy, delivered from the Netherlands along with various other flowers.
The delivery was made via a flight on Aug. 23.
In a joint press conference of customs officers, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the airport police, the authorities revealed on Monday they had arrested the two Indonesian importers.
Airport customs and excise office chief Nofrial said that the owner of a company located in Cinere, Depok, and the courier were suspected of smuggling the illegal plant, the extract of which can be made into opium, a powerful psychotropic substance.
"Papaver somniferum is categorized as a drug in the customs and excise guidebook and is prohibited from entering the country," Nofrial said.
He added that the suspects could be charged under Article 78 of Law No. 22/1977 on drugs. If they are proven guilty, they are subject to a 10-year prison term with a fine of Rp 500 million.
However, the authorities decided to release the two.
According to Yotje Mende, head of BNN's drug crime unit, there was no strong evidence that the suspects had attempted to smuggle in the opium poppies.
"We have checked with the exporter, as the Netherlands allows the trade of opium poppies and the suspects originally ordered another type of Papaver flower.
"Since the exporter could not meet the request, they sent the flower instead which they said is known as a decorative flower and can be used in making bread in the Netherlands."
Yotje said BNN was now preparing an official letter for the United Nations Drug Control Office to remind the Netherlands not to export such flowers here.
The customs officers also foiled a smuggling attempt of 600,000 pieces of fake excise labels for cigarettes. The delivery was made from China on July 13.
The officers have arrested the recipients of the fake excise labels on Jl. Pinang Emas, South Jakarta, identified as company director UB and operational staff IN.
"If the fake excise labels are circulated, it may cause Rp 608 million in losses to the state," Nofrial said.
The suspects would be charged under Article 55 of the Law No. 11/1995 on customs that carries a maximum sentence of eight years imprisonment.