REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian National Army Navy Joint Task Force (TNI AL) foils smuggling of narcotics of type sapu-sabu from international networks originating in Tawau, Malaysia, at Somel Sebatik Port, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan (Kaltara).
“The initiation of this narcotics smuggling attempt is a form of seriousness by the AL military and synergy between security forces and law enforcement in Nunukan Regency in order to prevent the circulation of narcotics in Indonesia, especially the border region of RI-Malaysia,” said Commander Lanal Nunukan Letkol Laut (P) Handoyo in a press release in Jakarta, Friday (17/5/2024).
Handoyo explained that the launch began when the AL Army Joint Team consisting of the Second Fleet Quick Response (SFQR) of Al Nunukan TNI Base, Task Force Kopaska Koarmada II, and Satgasmar Pam Ambalat XXIX were carrying out security and inspection at the port.
In the middle of the examination, according to Handoyo, an unknown man was seen behaving suspiciously by carrying a backpack. Upon examination, three medium-sized clear plastic wrappers were found to contain white crystals thought to be soot.
After deepening, the man was identified as a suspected courier with the initials WP (25) from West Tarakan, North Kalimantan. WP claimed to have been instructed by his colleague, who was born in Malaysia, to depart from Tawau for Sebatik with a bag containing sabu.
WP claimed he was promised a reward of 500 Malaysian ringgit (RM) or about Rp 1.7 million for carrying drugs. From the arrest, a number of items of evidence were found including three medium-sized clear plastic packs containing 142 grams of cotton wool, a brown backpack, a small sling bag, an ID card, a mobile phone, and money of Rp 505 thousand and 17 Malaysian ringgit.
In a separate occasion, Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali said that the soldiers of Jalasena Samudra should be on standby in safeguarding the maritime sovereignty of the archipelago, as should the introduction of drugs that could damage the nation's next generation.
