Jakarta, June 27 (ANTARA) - Soekarno-Hatta International Airport`s customs and excise officers have thwarted a smuggling attempt, seizing 1,080 grams of crystal methamphetamine worth more than Rp1.6 billion.

"A 28-year-old Nigerian, identified by initials of USO, was arrested while trying to smuggle the drugs into Indonesia," said Oza Olavia, the supervision and service head of the Soekartno-Hatta airport`s customs and excise office, here on Wednesday.

USO arrived aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Doha.

Based on the information gathered from USO, the Indonesian police later detained another Nigerian, aged 26, identified by initials of KS, at the Tanah Abang area in Central Jakarta.

The Nigerian smuggler might get up to 20 years of imprisonment, or a life sentence, and a maximum fine of Rp10 million for carrying more than five grams of methamphetamine.

The Soekartno-Hatta airport`s customs officers have so far foiled 21 smuggling attempts involving illicit drugs worth more than Rp19 million.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012