Customs and Police Apprehend International Drug Smuggling Network Suspects

Law enforcement efforts against narcotics smuggling in the waters of Bengkalis have once again yielded results. After initially fleeing following a foiled smuggling attempt by a joint team, two individuals suspected of involvement in an international narcotics smuggling network were finally apprehended by law enforcement officers. Based on intensive investigation, the Sub-Directorate IV of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Indonesian National Police’s Narcotics Crime Division obtained information on the whereabouts of the suspected perpetrators on Monday (15/6/2026). Following up on this information, the team conducted an arrest operation and, in the early hours of Tuesday (16/6/2026) at around 02:20 WIB, successfully secured the two suspected individuals at their respective relatives’ residences without resistance. Currently, both suspected perpetrators along with evidence have been detained to undergo further investigation. This arrest is a follow-up to the successful joint operation between the Riau Customs Regional Office, Bengkalis Customs, and the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Indonesian National Police in thwarting an international narcotics smuggling network in the waters of Teluk Pambang, Bengkalis, in May 2026. The operation originated from intelligence information received on Saturday (16/05) regarding a plan to smuggle narcotics from the Senggarang area, Malaysia, into Indonesia via sea routes. Following up on this information, the joint team deployed two patrol boat units to conduct surveillance and pursue the suspected target. On Monday night (18/5/2026) at around 23:10 WIB, officers successfully detected a speedboat suspected of being used to transport narcotics. After a pursuit, the speedboat eventually ran aground in a coastal area. The perpetrators fled into a mangrove forest, leaving their belongings on board. From the inspection, officers found two large cardboard boxes wrapped in black plastic containing various types of narcotics. The evidence secured includes approximately 45.9 kilograms of methamphetamine or crystal meth; 14.9 kilograms of ketamine; and around 20,000 ecstasy pills ready for distribution. In addition, officers found a styrofoam box containing personal items, which were subsequently used as clues in the process of identifying and tracking the perpetrators, including through DNA testing by the Riau Regional Police Forensic Laboratory. This case is suspected of violating provisions in Law Number 17 of 2006 concerning Customs and Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics. The Head of the Bengkalis Customs Office, Novryansyah, emphasised that inter-agency synergy will continue to be strengthened to safeguard border areas from various smuggling attempts, particularly narcotics that can threaten the future of the nation’s generation. ‘Cooperation with all law enforcement officers in monitoring border areas will continue to be enhanced,’ he stated in a release on Friday (19/6/2026). The success of this operation serves as tangible proof of the commitment of Customs together with other law enforcement officers in protecting the public from illicit narcotics trafficking. From this enforcement action, it is estimated that approximately 324,500 lives could be saved from potential drug abuse. Furthermore, the state also potentially saves rehabilitation costs of up to Rp 289.59 billion as a result of successfully thwarting the circulation of these narcotics.