Police dismantle synthetic drug network using social media and parcel delivery
Tangerang Regency (ANTARA) - The Tangerang City Police (Polresta Tangerang), Banten, have dismantled a synthetic drug trafficking network using social media orders and package delivery.
“This operation involved four suspects operating across multiple districts and cities,” said Tangerang City Police Chief Kombes Pol Andi Muhammad Indra Waspada Amirullah during a press conference in Tangerang on Thursday.
“The suspects, identified as MS, SFA, MK, and GPA, are part of a network distributing drugs across areas including Sepatan Timur in Tangerang Regency, Cipulir in South Jakarta, and Pondok Aren in South Tangerang, Banten.”
“Police arrested MS at a house in Kampung Bayur, Lebak Wangi, Sepatan Timur District on February 10.”
“Officers found ready-to-sell synthetic tobacco weighing a total gross 155.88 grams at MS’s residence,” he said.
“Subsequent investigation of the suspect’s mobile phone revealed transactions for 100 grams of synthetic paste ordered via social media.”
“Police then conducted a controlled delivery in Ulujami, South Jakarta, where they discovered a narcotics package disguised as a fast-food chicken meal weighing 65.58 grams,” he said.
“Controlled delivery in this context refers to authorities allowing a suspected narcotics package to be delivered to its destination while covertly monitoring the entire process.”
“The investigation continued in Cipulir, South Jakarta, where police arrested two men identified as SFA and MK on Thursday, February 12—two days after the first arrest.”
“During the search, Indra added, officers found synthetic tobacco hidden in cigarette packs weighing 4.93 grams, 4.84 grams, and five grams respectively.”
“We also found a red plastic packet containing synthetic tobacco weighing 2,330 grams or over two kilograms,” he said.
“Police also discovered alcohol, chloroform, and various production tools including electronic scales, plastic clips, stirring tools, and measuring cups.”
“The investigation then led to a rental house in Pondok Karya Village, Pondok Aren District, South Tangerang City.”
“At the property, we arrested a man identified as GPA. During the search, police found 1,101 grams of solid synthetic tobacco and 15 millilitres of liquid narcotics or ‘spray’,” he said.
“The suspects face charges under Article 114(2) in conjunction with Article 132(1) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics and/or Article 609(2)(a) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.”
“With a potential sentence of life imprisonment or a prison term of between five and 20 years,” he said.