Customs and BNN Thwart Smuggling of 29kg of Crystal Meth from Malaysian Network via Sumatra-Java Route
A synergy between Indonesian Customs and the National Narcotics Board (BNN) has once again successfully thwarted an attempt by an international narcotics network to distribute illegal drugs. The joint team seized approximately 29 kilograms of methamphetamine, suspected to have originated from Malaysia and distributed via land routes from Sumatra to Java.
The discovery was the result of a collaborative effort involving the Customs Narcotics Interdiction Directorate, the Sumbagtim Customs Regional Office, the Banten Customs Regional Office, Merak Customs, the BNN Interdiction Directorate, the BNN Intelligence Directorate, the BNN Dakjar Directorate, and the BNN Regional Offices of South Sumatra and Banten, conducted between 18 and 19 May 2026.
The Director of Narcotics Interdiction at Customs, R. Syarif Hidayat, stated that this successful enforcement is a manifestation of strengthened inter-agency synergy in facing the threat of international narcotics networks. “This exposure demonstrates that synergy between agencies is key to breaking the chain of transnational narcotics distribution. Customs, together with the BNN, will continue to strengthen surveillance and information exchange to protect the public from narcotics threats,” he said in a statement released on Friday (22/5/2026).
The case began with information sharing and joint analysis conducted by the joint team regarding the suspected shipment of crystal meth towards the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) area via land routes and the Bakauheni–Merak crossing. Based on surveillance results, officers identified a target vehicle, an SUV. At approximately 02:00 WIB on 18 May 2026, the team conducted monitoring in the KM 16 Banyuasin area and found the target vehicle travelling towards the Palembang–Lampung Toll Road.
Officers then tailed the vehicle, driven by two suspects identified by the initials TAP and Y, to Bakauheni Port and across to Merak. After arriving in the Parung Panjang area, Bogor, the two suspects abandoned the SUV and switched to an online taxi heading towards Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The team subsequently divided personnel to monitor the vehicle and the suspects’ movements.
On 19 May 2026, at approximately 04:30 WIB, officers inspected and searched the SUV. The search revealed 29 packages of green Chinese tea packaging containing methamphetamine, with an estimated total weight of approximately 29 kilograms, hidden inside the vehicle’s door compartments. Following further investigation, the team also apprehended another suspect, identified by the initials I.
Based on suspect statements and network analysis, the narcotics were known to originate from Malaysia and entered through an international network that utilises organised land distribution routes across Sumatra, using the method of hiding drugs within vehicles to evade officers. All suspects and the evidence have been handed over to the BNN Interdiction Directorate for further investigation and to expand the investigation into the related network.