South Kalimantan sea route prone to drug smuggling: BNN

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - As a province with a long coastline, South Kalimantan is considered to be quite vulnerable as the entrance to drug smuggling through the sea, said Head of South Kalimantan National Narcotics Agency (BNNP Kalsel) Brig. Gen. Mohamad Aris Purnomo.


"One of the vulnerable points for the entry of drugs through the sea is at the port, therefore we together should be vigilant and increase supervision. The fact is, several times uncovered that dealers carrying drugs from Java Island entered through Trisakti," Aris pointed out when observing the Trisakti Port Passenger Terminal in Banjarmasin on Tuesday.

For official ports like Trisakti, he said, synergy is needed from all relevant agencies to reduce drug smuggling.

Pelindo, for example, as a port operator in Indonesia, can ensure that the X-ray machine at the entrance of the terminal is functioning optimally to check luggage and bodies of potential passengers.

Likewise, the shipping company and courier service, Aris asked them to always coordinate if they suspect the goods they are transporting.

"If all maritime people work together, I am sure and optimistic drug trafficking efforts in the sea lane could be narrowed down," explained the one-star police general.

Not only the official port lane, Aris also reminded about the paths of "rats" on the pier that escaped the monitoring of government officials.

"It has been disclosed several times by the National Narcotics Agency, the international drug ring utilized fishing boats to enter the coast. This mode should be wary of us so that it will not happen in South Kalimantan," said the man who had only served two months.

Aris also appealed to the public to be able to provide even the smallest information if they knew or suspected drug trafficking either to BNNP officers or the police.