Indonesian police have detained an alleged people smuggler thought to be behind the boat of asylum seekers that was shipwrecked on Christmas Island. Up to 50 asylum seekers died after their Indonesian fishing boat smashed on to rocks last month. Police general Agung Sabar Santoso said his officers detained Ali Hamid in a Jakarta hotel room last night.Indonesia does not have a people smuggling law and Hamid is being held on an immigration violation. General Agung said Hamid was working with an accomplice and based on the investigation, he was the organiser of some people smuggling operations to Australia. He said the 40-year-old Ali Hamid claims to be from Afghanistan.