Police thwart cannabis trafficking concealed in fish feed drums in Tangerang

Jakarta - The Jakarta Regional Police’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit (Ditresnarkoba Polda Metro Jaya) thwarted an attempt to traffic 107.17 grams of cannabis concealed in fish feed drums in Tangerang, Banten.

AKP Arie Purwanto, head of Subunit 3 of Unit 1 in the Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit, stated on Monday in Jakarta that two suspects were arrested during an operation conducted on Wednesday (20/5) around 6pm WIB.

“Two suspects, identified as AA (26) and AAU (37), were apprehended on Al-Makmur Street in Pinang District, Tangerang City,” he said.

Arie explained the case began with a community report of suspicious drug transactions in the Almamur Kebalen area of Pinang District. Officers conducted surveillance at the location on Wednesday (20/5) around 6pm WIB.

At the scene, police apprehended the first suspect, AA (26). From him, officers seized one rice paper packet containing 27.41 grams of cannabis and a mobile phone.

During on-site questioning, AA confessed to receiving the cannabis supply from a man identified as AAU (37).

Officers quickly traced AAU’s residence in Cipondoh, Tangerang City. At the second location, police discovered the suspect’s method of concealing narcotics inside fish feed drums.

“During the search of AAU’s home, we found 18 rice paper packets containing cannabis with a total gross weight of 79.76 grams, packaged for distribution,” Arie said.

In total, the police seized 107.17 grams of cannabis from both suspects.

Arie expressed gratitude to the public for reporting suspicious activities, which enabled prompt action against the drug trafficking. He urged citizens to continue collaborating with the police.

“Let us protect society, the environment, and safeguard the youth from the dangers of narcotics,” he added.

For investigative and further network development purposes, both suspects and all evidence have been transferred to the Jakarta Regional Police’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Regional Police Public Relations Head, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that combating narcotics is a shared responsibility.

“Even the smallest information from the public is valuable to the police, starting from the immediate neighbourhood for us to collectively care,” Budi said.

He also urged citizens to promptly report potential public security and order disturbances via the 24-hour Polri Call Center 110.