Riau Islands Police Reveals Smuggling of Liquid Shabu, New Method of International Narcotics Network

On April 14 2024, the police succeeded in arresting a suspect named Mulia Abdi at an unofficial port in Sekupang District, Batam. He brought 28.6 kilograms (kg) of crystal methamphetamine and 13.2 liters of liquid methamphetamine using a speedboat from Malaysian waters.

Also read: Towards the end of the year, 1.17 liters of liquid crystal methamphetamine from Iran enters Indonesia

"This liquid methamphetamine will be processed in a clandestine (secret) laboratory. Regarding that, we will coordinate with police in other provinces so that this case does not only stop here," said Donny.

When questioned by the police, Mulia admitted to being paid IDR 10 million to receive a package of methamphetamine in the waters bordering Batam and Malaysia, and bring it to Batam. According to the police, the methamphetamine was intended to be taken to Jambi.

Also read: New Mode, Shabu Packaged in Liquid Form and Put in Toy Balls

According to the Chief of the Kepri Regional Police Inspector General Yan Fitri, one liter of liquid methamphetamine can produce 2.5 kg of crystal methamphetamine. He mentioned that the smuggling of liquid methamphetamine is a new modus operandi for drug smuggling in Kepri.

"I hope Avsec (aviation security/airport security officers) can monitor passengers' luggage in the form of liquid objects. "If this (liquid methamphetamine) passes, narcotics production in other areas will increase," said Yan.

Meth entrance

Batam is one of the main gateways for drug smuggling from abroad. Drugs that enter Batam will be circulated in various regions in Sumatra and Java. This condition is evident in, among other things, two recent arrest cases at Hang Nadim International Airport, Batam, in the past month.

On April 2, Avsec officers arrested three suspects who were smuggling 500 grams of crystal meth. Then, on April 18, authorities arrested two suspects who were smuggling 392.55 grams of crystal meth and 100 ecstasy pills.

One liter of liquid methamphetamine can produce 2.5 kg of crystal methamphetamine.

Yan stated that suspects smuggling methamphetamine at airports and suspects who smuggle liquid methamphetamine at ports will be charged under Article 114 Paragraph 2 and Article 112 Paragraph 2 juncto Article 132 Paragraph 1 of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics. They face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Also read: ”Happy Water” Passes Airport Inspection

"The revealing of these cases shows the outcome of police collaboration with relevant agencies to protect the younger generation from the danger of drugs," said Yan.

International drug syndicates use various methods to smuggle methamphetamine into the Riau Islands region. On April 22nd, the Navy of the Indonesian Armed Forces arrested one person who was smuggling 19 kg of methamphetamine along with four undocumented migrant workers.

Also read: TNI AL Arrests Smugglers Transporting Migrant Workers and Crystal Meth from Malaysia

The Head of the Eradication and Intelligence Division of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) in Kepri, Chief Commissioner Bubung Pramiadi, said that the Kepri region, which consists of 2,408 small islands, is often used as an entry point for drug smuggling. Residents on the coast are also vulnerable to being lured by international syndicate networks to become methamphetamine couriers.