Garlic smugglers arrested

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Two truck drivers who were transporting five tons of garlic were apprehended Sunday evening in the Teluk Naga district.

The lading documents stated that the trucks, with Medan license plates, carried cow hides, Lt.Col. Iman Haryatna, the Tangerang police chief, said yesterday.

"The documents were aimed at fooling inspectors," Iman said.

A resident of the Dadap Indah housing area, Krisno, was also arrested following reports from neighbors. They became suspicious when the truck drivers started unloading in front of Krisno's home at 11:30 p.m.

Police questioned Krisno and drivers Wiji and Marlin, who said the trucks belonged to a man named Asin.

Asin is now wanted by the police. Krisno said he acts as a fence at his home which also serves as a shop selling household items.

They were planning to sell the garlic for Rp 5,000 per kilogram. (28/anr)