Drug Smuggling at Soetta Airport Involves Three Foreign Nationals

Tangerang — The Main Customs Service Office Type Madya Customs (KPUBC TMP) Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta) in Tangerang, Banten, has successfully uncovered an attempt to smuggle narcotics including methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, and etomidate through Indonesia’s largest airport.

The head of Soekarno-Hatta Customs Office, Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, stated on Wednesday in Tangerang that the smuggling of these illegal goods was carried out by three foreign nationals.

“The narcotics were smuggled by three foreign nationals and three Indonesian nationals whom we apprehended at Terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The uncovering occurred during the January-February 2026 period,” he explained.

He said the case was uncovered in four enforcement actions. The first targeted a foreign national passenger with initials KH (33), who arrived on a flight from Amsterdam-Dubai-Jakarta on Tuesday, 12 January 2026.

“This passenger was a drug courier using instant drink packaging as concealment, but filled with 5,061 grams of ketamine,” he elaborated.

The second enforcement action targeted three Indonesian nationals, two women with initials ES (40) and M (46), and one man with initials AP (19), who acted as drug couriers by concealing substances between clothing and placing them inside luggage. All three arrived on a flight from Batam-Jakarta on Thursday, 22 January 2026.

“From these three individuals, evidence included 3,094 grams of methamphetamine,” he stated.

The third enforcement action apprehended a foreign male national with initials LKY, 25, who arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-Jakarta on Friday, 30 January 2026.

This passenger was a drug courier using instant drink packaging concealment, containing 1,066 grams of MDMA and 433 grams of ketamine.

“The fourth enforcement action targeted a foreign female national with initials SP. This suspect came from Thailand using soap and coconut oil packaging as concealment, but filled with 3,600 grams of etomidate,” Hengky explained.

For their actions, all suspects have been charged under Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics with maximum penalties of death or life imprisonment, and Law Number 36 of 2009 on Health.

“All suspects and evidence have been handed over to Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police for further investigation,” he said.