Semarang. The Central Java Regional Police's Narcotics Unit confiscated 52 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 35,000 ecstasy pills, believed to be linked to the syndicate network headed by Fredy Pratama, an Indonesian drug lord suspected to be hiding in Thailand.

According to Central Java Police Chief Ahmad Luthfi, the confiscation started with the arrest of the suspect, TH, while driving a car at the Sragen East Toll Gate in Central Java on Jan. 12.

"The discovered evidence included 1 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine and 250 ecstasy pills hidden under the car seat. TH confessed to receiving the items from the suspect, EB, who was subsequently detained in Jepara, Central Java," he said on Friday.

The narcotics team successfully identified two other suspects, namely PR and GDA, who were transporting narcotics to West Java. They were apprehended at the Cikande Toll Gate, Serang, Banten, on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

From the hands of PR and GDA, the police seized 3 suitcases containing 49 packets of Chinese tea filled with 51 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 7 packets of coffee containing 34,800 ecstasy pills.

Suspect PR confessed to being a courier and receiving payment between Rp 60 million to Rp 100 million for each delivery.

The investigation indicates that these four suspects are divided into two different groups but are controlled by a woman with the initial PK who communicates through intermediaries.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is conducting a joint investigation with the Thai police and the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to track down Fredy Pratama's assets in Thailand.

In the pursuit of Fredy Pratama, Polri has initiated Operation Escobar. From September 2023 to February 2024, a total of 54 drug trafficking suspects were associated with Fredy Pratama's network.

Furthermore, Polri investigators have seized a significant portion of Fredy Pratama's assets in Indonesia, totaling approximately Rp 400 billion.