Smuggled wood apprehended

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The customs authorities at Belawan port have prevented the smuggling of 1,450 processed woods to Malaysia and apprehended two people suspected of being behind the smuggling attempt.

Customs spokesman Edi Kesuma said on Monday that the attempt had been thwarted by a Customs patrol boat in the Malacca Strait.

The patrolling officers saw two suspicious vessels and stopped them. While searching them, the officers found processed woods that were not accompanied by the proper documents. The vessels and their 11 crew members were immediately detained.

Edi said that two people allegedly behind the smuggling attempt had also been arrested. -- JP