Kuching couple arrested in West Kalimantan for alleged meth distribution

PONTIANAK (Aug 30): A married couple from Kuching was arrested by the Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the West Kalimantan Regional Police for allegedly distributing methamphetamine in Singkawang district on Aug 17.

According to news portal IDN Times, the pair was apprehended in North Singkawang while travelling in a four-wheel drive (4WD).

Police seized two plastic packages bearing a durian logo from the vehicle, containing about 2 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.

“The operation was carried out by Sub-directorate I of the Narcotics Directorate in collaboration with the Narcotics Unit of Sambas district police, using an undercover buy method.

“Officers posed as buyers and successfully lured the suspects to the transaction site,” said West Kalimantan Narcotics Director, Commissioner Dedi Supriadi, on Thursday (Aug 28).

Dedi explained that the suspects had offered the methamphetamine at a price of Rp250 million (about RM64,257) per kilogramme via video call to the undercover officers.

They had reportedly entered Indonesia from Kuching, Sarawak, through the Aruk Border Crossing Post in Sambas. However, the drugs went undetected during official inspections.

During questioning, the couple claimed they were merely acting as couriers, receiving a payment of RM5,000.

West KalimantanPolice are now pursuing a major trafficker believed to be orchestrating the operation.

“The West Kalimantan Police have coordinated with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in Sarawak via the Malaysian Consulate in Pontianak. This case is also one of five significant cases we successfully uncovered in August,” Dedi asserted.

For their actions, the couple have been charged under Article 112 paragraph (2) and/or Article 114 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph (1) of the Narcotics Law.