By SPA,
Jakarta, Indonesia : Authorities arrested two Taiwanese and three Malaysians trying to smuggle Methamphetamines worth US$2.7 million into Indonesia in recent weeks, a customs official said Sunday.
Customs officers found more than 16 kilograms (35 pounds) of methamphetamine crystals, known here as shabu shabu, in the passengers’ bags as they arrived at Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta from Hong Kong, said Eko Darmanto, head of customs investigations at the airport.
Police arrested the three Malaysians, who were found to be carrying 9.4 kilograms (20 pounds) of methamphetamine, when they arrived two weeks ago, and the two Taiwanese were arrested with 6.9 kilograms (15 pounds) of the drug in their luggage Friday night, Darmanto was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
We believe they are part of an international syndicate, he said. The drugs have an estimated street value of US$2.7 million (¤1.7 million), he said.
If charged and convicted of smuggling narcotics, the men face a maximum penalty of death under Indonesia’s tough anti-drug laws.