TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of the Finance Ministry stated on Tuesday that it uncovered and foiled attempts to smuggle a total of 5.6 tons of narcotics into Indonesia this year.

Head of the Sub-Directorate for Operations and Disclosure of Narcotics Networks at DJBC, Prijo Andono, said that the confiscation of 5.6 tons of narcotics followed the detection of hundreds of smuggling cases and drug networks.

"Nationally, we were able to uncover the distribution of 5.6 tons of narcotics. However, the flow of illegal drugs is likely to persist. We are committed to continuing to disrupt this illegal trade," he stated.

He said that the achievement in preventing narcotics smuggling efforts is the result of synergy between law enforcement officials, including those from Customs and Excise, the National Narcotics Agency, the National Police, and the Indonesian Defense Forces.

Andono said that the narcotics dealers who control the Indonesian market are dominated by those from the Golden Triangle: Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

In general, these syndicates smuggle large quantities of drugs via sea and air, such as ports in the eastern part of Sumatra Island, which are the preferred entry points by the dealers to send narcotics into Indonesia, Andono added.

Among air routes, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has become a favorite route for couriers to import narcotics into Indonesia, he said.

"The amount of narcotics smuggling thwarted is similar between last year and this year. In 2022, we recorded (that attempts to smuggle) around 6 tons of narcotics were foiled, and until December 10, 2023, we were able to confiscate 5.6 tons of narcotics," he disclosed.

ANTARA

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