Marijuana, gold seized at airport

TANGERANG: The Custom and Excise officers seized a package of marijuana which was sent, via a delivery company, from Banda Aceh into the capital through the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Chief of the customs and excise, Jusuf Indarto, said in a press conference Monday that the package was claimed to contain books and was sent by Mahdani in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh, to Munawir in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, on May 7 by a Garuda airlines flight GA-191.

"When the package passed through the X-ray detector, the officers became suspicious as it contained leaves instead of books," Jusuf said.

A thorough examination showed there were 2.7 kilograms of marijuana inside.

Munawir was arrested last Wednesday.

He violated Article 53 of law No. 10/1995 on Customs and Excise and Article 78 of law No. 22/1997 on drugs which carry a maximum punishment of a 10-year jail term and a Rp 500 million (US$53,765) fine.

The customs and excise officers also foiled a Thai woman attempting to bring in 32 pieces of gold jewels from Thailand, without declaring them.

Jariya Jamsrijan, 43, was found hiding the rings and earrings under her dress and was searched by the officers because she looked suspicious.

She violated Article 8 of law No. 10 on customs and excise which only carries administrative sanctions. The evidence is being examined at the customs office. -- JP