Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Navy’s Regional Command X foiled an attempt to smuggle 14 kilograms of marijuana from Papua New Guinea toward Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, through Skouw Sae waters, authorities said.
Regional Commander Maj. Gen. Sugianto said Tuesday night the marijuana was recovered after smugglers threw it into the sea while fleeing Indonesian Navy personnel.
“Seven PNG nationals used a motorboat with a 40-horsepower engine and tried to evade officers by throwing sacks containing marijuana into the sea,” Sugianto said.
The smugglers then fled and returned to Papua New Guinea waters, which directly border Indonesia, he said.
“A chase occurred in Skouw Sae waters before the motorboat carrying the PNG nationals returned to their country,” Sugianto said.
The smugglers’ boat was faster because it used a 40-horsepower engine, while the Skouw Sae naval post’s patrol speedboat had a 15-horsepower engine.
The disparity made it difficult for officers to catch the smugglers. They nevertheless recovered the sack of marijuana that had been thrown into the sea.
Sugianto said Regional Command X had deployed a rigid buoyancy boat, or RBB, equipped with two 300-horsepower engines to strengthen patrols and pursue smuggling boats from Papua New Guinea.
“We have deployed an RBB with twin 300-horsepower engines, which should enable us to pursue smuggling boats from PNG,” he said.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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