Cipinang Prison Thwarts Smuggling of 24 Drug Packets Hidden in Cigarettes

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary in Jakarta thwarted the smuggling of 24 drug packets arranged and concealed within sealed cigarette sticks. “Today, Thursday 16 April 2026, this afternoon we secured two visitors. In 12 cigarette sticks, there were 24 packets of white powder suspected to be narcotics,” said the Head of the Class IIA Jakarta Narcotics Penitentiary, Syarpani, at Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta, on Thursday. The case was uncovered in the afternoon when officers conducted routine checks on visitors bringing items for inmates. Syarpani stated that the two male visitors were secured after officers suspected one of their carried items, a pack of cigarettes, appeared unusual. “Visually, the cigarettes were still sealed, but according to our rules, all items entering must be inspected. There are no exceptions,” Syarpani said. Officers’ suspicions arose upon noticing that the arrangement of cigarette sticks inside the pack was not neat as usual. One stick appeared upside down, prompting further inspection. Based on the applicable standard operating procedure (SOP), officers then took one cigarette stick as a sample to be examined by breaking it. “The stick felt hard. After opening it, it turned out there was a small plastic containing white powder suspected to be narcotics,” Syarpani said. The finding was immediately reported to prison leadership. A thorough examination was then conducted on the entire contents of the cigarette pack. From the dismantling, it was discovered that 12 cigarette sticks had been modified. Each stick contained two small packets, resulting in a total of 24 packets of white powder suspected to be narcotics. “This method was quite sophisticated. The perpetrators arranged it in such a way to avoid detection. But thanks to the officers’ thoroughness, this attempt was successfully thwarted,” Syarpani said. The two perpetrators who were secured are known to be from the Palmerah area, West Jakarta. Both were immediately handed over to the East Jakarta Metropolitan Police Station for further examination and legal proceedings. In addition to arresting the perpetrators, authorities are also delving into the involved network, including identifying the inmates who were the targets of the drug delivery. “The recipient inside the prison is still being traced. We will work with the police to uncover the network behind this case,” Syarpani said. Syarpani revealed that this thwarting is the ninth time the prison has prevented drug smuggling throughout 2026. He assessed that the perpetrators continue to develop various new methods to outwit officers. Previously, narcotics have been found hidden in various items, from food like chicken feet to personal items like sanitary pads. “The methods keep evolving. Today in cigarettes, previously in food and personal items. This is a challenge for us to continue enhancing vigilance,” Syarpani explained.