Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA News) - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of Aceh Province foiled an attempt by an international drugs syndicate to smuggle 17 kg of methamphetamine crystals in Lhokseumawe and North Aceh, Aceh Province.

"Besides seizing 17kg (of meth), the BNN personnel also arrested three suspects believed to be members of international drugs syndicate," the chief of BNN of Aceh Province, Armensyah Thay, said here on Thursday.

The three suspects were identified as AM (65), a driver; F (34), a military person, and Z (34), an employee of a private enterprise.

The suspects were arrested on November 27 in Aceh and Lhoksumawe.

The meth was to be distributed outside Aceh, Thay disclosed.

The officers had previously received a report saying that AM and U would bring the illicit goods to an area in Meunasah Mancang Gampong, Samudra Subdistrict, North Aceh.

The officers raided the two suspects and secured 17 packages brought in a brown backpack and a black piece of luggage.

"Based on the investigation, the meth was going to be delivered to Z who was arrested 30 minutes later at Cunda, Lhoksumawe District," Thay noted.

Thay revealed that the meth first came from China and was brought to Malaysia before being smuggled to Aceh through the sea.

The meth was to be distributed in several areas in Aceh as well as in other regions in Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan.

The suspects face a maximum penalty of death sentence and a maximum fine of Rp10 billion for trafficking drugs.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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