6 Facts: 10 Indonesians Testing Positive for Drugs After Bangkok Trip Arrested at Soetta

Ten people were arrested by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) upon their arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta) in Tangerang, Banten. They were apprehended by BNN after testing positive for drugs. The ten Indonesian citizens (WNI) had just arrived from Bangkok, Thailand. Urine test results indicated their samples contained several types or compounds of drugs. “Ten individuals tested positive for narcotic and/or addictive substances based on initial urine tests, including methamphetamine, THC, amphetamine, cocaine, and other substances,” according to a BNN statement on Wednesday (10/6/2026). The ten passengers with positive results had the initials MM, FR, GAS, MA, ASM, DP, HP, MI, AN, and RA. The ten individuals were subsequently taken to the BNN RI Office.

The discovery of the 10 WNI positive for drugs originated from the development of a case involving two Russian citizens who brought hashish into Bali. After receiving information from Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration, the BNN team then monitored the arrival of WNI coming from Bangkok on Monday (8/6) at around 21.00 WIB. “This operation is a continuation of the case disclosure on 3 June 2026, where a joint team secured two Russian foreign nationals with the initials KK, 52, and SK, 40, with evidence of hashish weighing a gross 7.8 kg suspected to have originated from Thailand,” BNN stated. Initially, officers identified 14 WNI passengers for further examination. Four other individuals tested negative for drugs based on urine test results.

BNN conducted an Integrated Sequential Operation ‘Sapu Bersih Narkotika’ (Clean Sweep of Narcotics) at the International Arrivals Terminal of Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Monday (8/6). This operation was carried out ahead of International Anti-Narcotics Day 2026 as an effort to tighten supervision of the country’s entry points. The Head of BNN RI, Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, affirmed that this operation is a tangible form of the state’s presence in protecting the public from the threat of narcotics. The joint operation involved the Deputy for Eradication of BNN RI, the Directorate General of Immigration, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police. “Saving the Indonesian generation from narcotics is a noble act and is the responsibility of all elements of the nation,” said Commissioner General Suyudi. The Head of BNN also appreciated the synergy of Immigration, Customs and Excise, and the Indonesian National Police. Going forward, BNN will strengthen early detection, supervision of people and goods at borders, and integrated operations with related ministries/institutions to realise an Indonesia free from narcotics.

After an assessment and case review, the 10 WNI arriving from Bangkok were categorised as light category or trial-use abusers. The step taken is outpatient rehabilitation at the BNN RI Cawang IPWL Clinic, accompanied by a mandatory reporting obligation. On Wednesday (10/6) at 07.30 WIB yesterday, the abusers were discharged with the condition of following a rehabilitation programme and mandatory reporting.

Officers found ketamine from the examined WNI. Officers seized the ketamine for laboratory testing. “During the baggage inspection, officers found 22 grams of powder suspected to be ketamine in a suitcase belonging to HP. Ketamine is not classified as a narcotic, but officers are still conducting an investigation and laboratory tests,” he said.

Wild rumours circulated that the WNI from Bangkok arrested by BNN were an entourage of one of the candidates for general chairman (caketum) of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi). BNN refuted this news and stated it was solely conducting law enforcement related to drugs. “All actions by BNN and other related agencies are professional law enforcement efforts, not related to the circulating news,” said the Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau of BNN, Brigadier General Putu Putera Sadana. Putu affirmed his party was developing the case of the arrest of two Russian nationals carrying hashish from Thailand some time ago. The two Russian nationals intended to distribute 7.8 kg of hashish in Bali. “Yes (purely case development),” he said. Today, the XVIII National Conference (Munas) of Hipmi was held in Lampung. Four Hipmi chairperson candidates attended the conference. This Munas was held to elect new leadership to replace Chairman for the 2022-2026 period, Akbar Himawan Buchari. It is known there are four HIPMI chairperson candidates for the 2026-2030 period, including Reynaldo Bryan, Ade Jona Prasetyo, Afi Kalla, and Anthony Leong. The Secretary General of Hipmi for the 2022-2026 period, Anggawira, confirmed all four Hipmi chairperson candidates were at the conference event. He also denied news that one chairperson candidate was involved in a drug case with BNN. “Present completely, healthy and fit,” said Anggawira when contacted separately. “Hoax, that is agitation propaganda,” he added.

BNN foiled an attempt to distribute hashish-type narcotics brought by a Russian national woman, Kochetkova Kira (51), from Thailand. Kira together with her colleague, Sergei Khlebushchev (39), were arrested in Bali. “Evidence of hashish-type narcotics with a gross weight of 7.8 kg,” said Head of BNN RI Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, Saturday (6/6). Both were arrested on Friday (5/6) in Bangli, Bali. Initially, Kira arrived from Thailand and entered Indonesia via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Kira then went to Bali using a rental car to distribute hashish in Bali. “The suitcase was carried by a passenger named Kochetkova Kira for distribution in Bali,” said Commissioner General Suyudi. After arriving in Bali, Kira then met with suspect Sergei. Kira was dropped off on the road, while Sergei attempted to flee from the officers’ pursuit. “While passing on Jalan Dusun Kayang, Bangli District, suspect Sergei dropped off Kochetkova Kira along with a suitcase containing narcotics, then attempted to escape with his vehicle,” he said. A chase between officers and the suspect was unavoidable. The suspect was chased from Gilimanuk Port to Jalan Nusantara, Kayubihi Village, Bangli District, Bangli Regency.