Customs, AVSEC, and Banda Aceh Police Thwart Shipment of 1.9 kg of Crystal Meth to Jakarta
A collaborative effort between the Aceh Customs Regional Office, Banda Aceh Customs, Aviation Security (AVSEC) at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, and the Banda Aceh City Police has thwarted an attempt to transport 1,918.56 grams of crystal methamphetamine via air route to Jakarta.
The enforcement action began on Sunday (10/5) at approximately 06:30 WIB during a routine inspection of passengers departing for Jakarta. Using X-ray machines, AVSEC officers detected suspicious indications within a brown cardboard box carried by a passenger identified by the initials MK (25). Subsequent physical inspections of the box revealed four plastic packages containing white crystals suspected to be methamphetamine, with a total net weight of 1,918.56 grams.
Following the discovery, AVSEC officers coordinated with Banda Aceh Customs and the Banda Aceh City Police for further handling. Preliminary investigations suggest that MK was acting as a courier tasked with transporting the drugs from Aceh to Jakarta. The suspect claimed to have obtained the narcotics from an individual identified as AS, who is currently on the police’s most wanted list (DPO).
The suspect admitted that the methamphetamine was handed over shortly before departure and hidden inside the cardboard box to evade inspection. He also stated he had been promised a reward for successfully delivering the goods to their destination.
In addition to the 1,918.56 grams of methamphetamine, authorities seized supporting evidence including one boarding pass, one baggage label, one mobile phone, and the cardboard box used to conceal the drugs. The suspect and the evidence have been handed over to the Banda Aceh City Police Narcotics Unit for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The suspect faces charges under Article 114 Paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 115 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, alongside relevant provisions of the New Criminal Code (KUHP).
The Head of the Banda Aceh Customs Office, Rahmat Priyandoko, emphasised the importance of inter-agency synergy in strengthening oversight of passenger and cargo traffic through air transport. “We are committed to continuing our collaboration with law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders in our efforts to prevent and eradicate drug trafficking to protect the community from the threats of narcotics abuse and illegal distribution,” said Rahmat.