Salemba Prison Foils Smuggling of Crystal Meth and Ecstasy

Officers at the Class I Salemba Detention Centre in Central Jakarta foiled an attempt to smuggle suspected narcotics, namely methamphetamine and ecstasy, brought in by an inmate after attending a hearing at the West Jakarta District Court.

Head of the Class I Detention Centre in Central Jakarta, Wahyu Trah Utomo, said the discovery occurred when the inmate, identified by the initials FK, underwent a body and belongings inspection at the main entrance area of the detention centre in accordance with standard operating procedures.

“During the inspection, officers noticed suspicious behaviour. When the individual was asked to remain squatting, a black plastic package fell from his body,” Wahyu said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

Upon inspection, officers found two clip-sealed plastic bags containing a white powder suspected to be methamphetamine weighing 8.54 grams, as well as one package containing crushed pink tablets suspected to be ecstasy weighing 2.18 grams.

Based on a preliminary confession, the items were obtained from a visitor and were planned to be circulated inside the detention centre under the control of another inmate identified by the initials DM, with a reward of Rp1 million.

Wahyu stressed that the discovery was part of the commitment of the Class I Detention Centre in Central Jakarta to prevent the circulation of narcotics within the correctional environment.

He added that his office would not tolerate any officers, inmates, or visitors proven to have violated regulations, including attempting to smuggle prohibited items into the detention centre.

“The success of this discovery is clear evidence of our commitment to creating a correctional environment free from drug circulation and supporting the implementation of the Zero Halinar programme (Handphones, Illegal Levies, and Narcotics),” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Security Unit at the Class I Detention Centre in Central Jakarta, Desman A. Prasetya, called on all officers to increase vigilance and tighten supervision, particularly regarding inspections of inmates returning from court hearings.

“All security personnel must continue to increase vigilance and tighten supervision of every service and entry-exit route, especially the inspection procedures for inmates after court hearings,” Desman said.