Barelang Police Uncover Meth Smuggling Attempt Hidden in Baby Supplies
The Narcotics Unit of the Barelang Police, together with Batam Type B Customs, successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle methamphetamine hidden inside baby supplies. The case came to light on 19 June 2026, with the illicit goods planned to be sent via an expedition service from Batam to Kendari.
Kepri Regional Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Nona Pricillia Ohei, stated that the case is suspected to be connected to an international narcotics network. “The evidence secured is believed to have originated from abroad, and the Barelang Police Narcotics Unit is currently conducting further investigations,” she said on Sunday (28/6).
The case began with intelligence information gathered by the Barelang Police Narcotics Unit regarding the suspected shipment of narcotics via cargo. This information was followed up by Customs officers who tightened surveillance on goods leaving Batam. At around 2:30 p.m. local time, officers became suspicious of a package at DBM Cargo & Logistics in the Odessa commercial complex, Batam Kota.
Upon inspection, officers discovered five packages of methamphetamine hidden inside various baby care items. The evidence was concealed within bottles of soap, shampoo, hair lotion, telon oil, and baby towels. The total amount of methamphetamine seized was 1,004.4 grammes, or more than one kilogramme.
The investigation led to a man with the initials YP in Tanjungpinang City. The Barelang Police Narcotics Unit team swiftly moved in and arrested YP at a house. During questioning, YP admitted that the package containing the methamphetamine belonged to him and was intended to be sent to Kendari.
From this seizure, the police estimate the economic value of the evidence to be approximately Rp1.2 billion. Barelang Police Narcotics Unit Chief, Police Commissioner Arsyad Riyandi, emphasised that his unit will continue to strengthen supervision and enforcement against narcotics trafficking in the Riau Islands region.
“This successful seizure is a testament to the Barelang Police’s commitment to eradicating illicit drug trafficking, and it is also the result of the active contribution and role of the Kepri community,” he said.
In addition to the methamphetamine smuggling case involving baby supplies, the Barelang Police Narcotics Unit also handled several other narcotics cases throughout May and June 2026. From these operations, the police arrested seven suspects, consisting of five men and two women.
The evidence destroyed included methamphetamine, marijuana, ecstasy, and thousands of vape cartridges containing etomidate. The total economic value of all the evidence seized and destroyed is estimated at Rp9.58 billion. The suspects are charged under multiple articles of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics and the latest Criminal Code, facing a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, along with fines of up to Rp2 billion.