Packages containing cocaine and meth hidden in candles, Singaporean arrested but Bali police still hunting British suspect

A Singaporean has been arrested in Bali after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs in via postal service, but police are still in pursuit of a British suspect who they believe to be the owner of the drugs. 

Police arrested Muhammad Faliq bin Nordin, 32, when the Singapore national allegedly tried to pick up two packages containing drugs from a Renon, Denpasar post office on Sept. 10. The Singaporean is understood to have been working as a DJ and event organizer for the past four months in Bali.

The first package had arrived at the post office on Aug. 29, while the second package came on Sept. 9. Both were reportedly postmarked from the Netherlands and addressed to Kobu Raum.

Nordin came to the post office with a letter indicating that Kobu Raum gave him permission to pick-up the package, Bali and Nusa Tenggara Customs Office head Syarif Hidayat said in press conference on Monday.

Bali Police have said that Raum has been identified as a British citizen and they are searching for his whereabouts. 

“(Nordin) admitted for only knowing RK (Raum) for two to three months, which is why he was willing to pick up the packages for him even though he did not know what the contents were,” Director of the Bali Police Drug Unit Franky Haryanto said, as quoted by Antara.

The first package was flagged as suspicious upon its arrival in August, when screened. After a more thorough inspection, Customs and Excise officers found 100.2 grams of white powder, that later tested positive as meth. The powder was camouflaged, hidden in ceramic pottery that had been covered with candle wax.

The second package was similar, but instead of meth, had 30.3 grams of cocaine hidden inside. 

Customs and Excise estimates the street value of the two packages to be worth about $17,000 according to Channel News Asia



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