Bareskrim Uncovers Tailan-Aceh Drug Network, Seizes 325 kg of Methamphetamine

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Indonesian National Police, the Directorate of Drug Crimes at Bareskrim successfully uncovered an international drug trafficking network linking Thailand and Indonesia in the Lhokseumawe region of Aceh. During the operation, officers seized 325 kilograms of methamphetamine.

‘A joint team from Sub-directorate 4, Task Force 1 of the NIC, the Aceh Regional Customs Office, and the Lhokseumawe Customs Office successfully uncovered the illicit trafficking of 325 packages (325 kilograms) of methamphetamine in Chinese tea packaging, linked to a Thailand-Aceh-Indonesia network,’ said Brigadier General Eko Hadi, Director of Drug Crimes at Bareskrim, in a statement on Sunday (28/6/2026).

Police arrested two suspects during the operation, identified as Jufri (29) and Zulfahmi (29). They were apprehended on Tuesday (23/6/2026). ‘The arrests of suspects Zulfahmi and Jufri were made in Jambong Mesjid Village, Blang Mangat District, Lhokseumawe City,’ Eko explained.

Eko detailed that the case began in early June 2026 when the NIC Task Force 1 and Sub-directorate IV received information about the illicit drug trade involving an international Thailand-Indonesia network in the Aceh region. Police received intelligence that certain parties were planning to travel to Thailand to collect narcotics. ‘Based on this information, the joint NIC and Sub-directorate IV team conducted an investigation around the coast of Blang Mangat, Lhokseumawe, Aceh,’ he stated.

Subsequently, on Tuesday (23/6/2026) at 20:00 WIB, officers became suspicious of a Honda HR-V vehicle leaving the coastal area of Blang Mangat. The vehicle was strongly suspected of carrying narcotics. ‘The team intercepted the vehicle at the location. When the car was stopped, the perpetrators attempted to flee into the bushes, but the team managed to chase and secure both suspects,’ he added.

Upon inspecting the vehicle, police discovered evidence of narcotics wrapped in gunny sacks. ‘We found 13 yellow gunny sacks. Upon opening them, the contents were Chinese tea packages which, according to the suspects’ confessions, contained methamphetamine,’ he said.

After securing the suspects and the evidence, police conducted further investigations. This led to the identification of two other individuals acting as controllers, identified as Muhammad Jabbar and Mahlu, who have now been placed on the wanted list. ‘The joint team from Sub-directorate IV and the NIC Narcotics unit of Bareskrim is currently pursuing MJ and UA at their usual hideouts, both at fishponds and at the suspects’ residences,’ he concluded.