Ah Kwan Syndicates: Singaporean and Chinese

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The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A tip from the public led to the Tangerang Police seizing almost a ton of crystal methamphetamine worth Rp 600 billion (US$65.9 million) early Monday.

The 950 kilograms of drugs were found in a small truck at Pangkalan village, Teluk Naga, Tangerang. The police also arrested one suspect, but have refused to disclose his identity as the search continues for others involved.

Police said it was the second biggest drug seizure after the raid on a drug-manufacturing factory in Cikande, Tangerang, last November.

"The materials found are ready-to-use crystal meth, while the materials found in the Cikande factory raid were still being processed into crystal meth," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Firman was quoted by tempointeraktif.com as saying Tuesday in Tangerang.

The city police's drug squad chief, Sr. Comr. Carlo Brix Tewu, told The Jakarta Post that police strongly believed the drugs were from an international drug syndicate.

"We're sure that this is connected to an international drug syndicate, because it's impossible to work alone with that much amount of drugs."

Policeman Heri Prastowo, 32, from the Tangerang Police was injured during the operation. He received a report at 3 a.m. Monday from residents of Tanjung Burung at Teluk Naga district that a group of people was moving goods from a Toyota Avanza van to a small truck.

He went to the area on his motorcycle. As he arrived, the driver of the small truck started the vehicle and rammed him. The truck and the van then sped off.

Heri, who was thrown from his motorcyle and broke his right leg, was able to use his cell phone to call for backup.

Another unit was able to intercept the truck not far from the scene, but the occupants of the Toyota Avanza escaped.

National Police chief Gen. Sutanto hailed the seizure Tuesday and said that the police would never cease their hunt for drug syndicates.

"We're aware that although many drug dealers have been arrested, there will always be new drug syndicates since this business offers a huge amount of money for them," he said.

"Therefore, the police will continue arresting them and cutting off their network."

In November last year, the police raided what was considered the biggest drug manufacturing factory in Southeast Asia, located in Cikande, Tangerang. The Tangerang District Court is currently trying the owners of the factory. (07/08)