PETALING JAYA: Indonesian police are investigating a drug coordinator allegedly based in Malaysia after seizing 35kg of crystal methamphetamine and arresting five suspects in operations across Riau and West Sumatra.
According to a Bernama report, Riau police narcotics investigation director Putu Yudha Prawira said the case was uncovered after receiving intelligence about a planned large-scale drug shipment entering Indonesia through waters off Bantan, in Bengkalis regency, Riau.
He said four suspects were arrested in separate operations in Bengkalis, Kampar and Pekanbaru on Oct 21, followed by a fifth suspect in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, on Oct 23.
The suspects' nationalities were not disclosed.
“Based on the interrogation, one of the suspects admitted to being directed by a coordinator based in Malaysia,” he was quoted as saying.
Putu said police are also pursuing another suspect who allegedly travelled to Malaysia to collect the drugs. The suspect has been placed on the wanted list.
Local media reported that the seized drugs were estimated to be worth 62.9 billion rupiah (RM14.16 million).
Investigators suspect the drugs were intended for distribution in Riau, North Sumatra and South Sumatra.