Police say Bali may turn into an Ecstasy market

Police say Bali may turn into an Ecstasy market

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali police chief Maj. Gen. Benyamin L.S.
Mamuaya predicts that the island, with its high traffic of
tourists, may change from a "point of distribution of drugs" into
one that markets Ecstasy.

Antara quoted the police chief as saying that thousands of
tourists, local and foreign, stay for long periods in spots which
are not easy to monitor.

"The local community or police don't know for sure what those
tourists do in their lodgings," he said in a written statement,
delivered by his deputy Brig. Gen. S. Bimantoro, in a seminar on
drugs in Kuta, Wednesday.

"This creates a condition which is prone to illicit
activities, and there's the possibility they could turn Bali into
an Ecstasy market," he said.

The seminar was attended by 200 law enforcers, tourist
officials, academics and community leaders.

Customs and excise authorities at Ngurah Rai Airport,
Denpasar, found on Monday 29,295 Ecstasy tablets in two suitcases
which had been left unclaimed for three months. It was the
largest drug find in Bali this year.

The pills were in 10 plastic bottles. A third suitcase
contained 231 vinyl records, 210 candles, 31 compact discs and
some used clothing, the authorities said.

Since May, authorities in the Ngurah Rai Airport have foiled
eight attempted drug runs, seizing 65,580 Ecstasy pills, 2.5
kilograms of hashish and 20 grams of marijuana. In May, airport
authorities seized 20,781 Ecstasy tablets in a smuggling attempt.
(swe)