Pakistani indicted for smuggling

TANGERANG (JP): A Pakistani identified as Munaf A Latif, 40, was indicted at Tangerang District Court for attempting to smuggle out three boxes of pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) to Pakistan by airplane through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Prosecutor Supriati said in her indictment at the trial presided over by Judge Tukiran that the defendant tried to smuggle out the VCDs on Dec. 1.

The goods, which were handled by PT Muskindo Ekspress, were listed on the airway bill as computer spare parts, including CD ROMs, she said.

When they were checked by customs officers at the airport, however, it was uncovered that the contents of the boxes differed from that stated on the airway bill, she said.

Saiful Bahri, one of the two customs officers giving testimonies at the trial, said he was suspicious because the packing was very poor for computer spare parts, namely in the form of plastic bags.

"Based on the suspicion, the boxes were thoroughly checked and the case later handed over to the police," Saiful said. (41/hhr)