Iranian Citizen Arrested to Smuggle Drugs

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The National Narcotic Agency (BNN) has arrested two Iranian nationals in Pelabuhan Ratu sub-district, Sukabumi, West Java, for attempting to smuggle 70 kg of crystal methamphetamine into Indonesia.

The 70-kg meth of Ampethamine type Stimulant (ATS) worth Rp140 billion was smuggled by Seiyed Hasheim Mosavipour and Mostava Moradaviland, Deputy Chairman of BNN Brigadier General Deddy Fauzi Elhakim stated here on Thursday.

They were nabbed while trying to dig the meth that was hidden underground at Tikungan Satu nature sanctuary in Jayanti village, Pelabuhan Ratu.

They were believed to be members of an international drug trafficking network. The arrest was made following a tip-off from the US Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA), which had known about the shipment of meth to Indonesia by a boat.

The meth, kept in three bags, is of the best quality, Elhakim noted. One of the Iranians arrived in Indonesia in December 2013, and the other one on January 28, in Denpasar, Bali. They went to Jakarta later and proceeded to Sukabumi to pick up the illicit drugs.

"They will now face death penalty or life sentence. The lightest sentence will be 20 years in jail. There are several other suspects who are still being interrogated," he pointed out. (*/DWA)