Makassar Customs Foils Sabu Smuggling from Malaysia Using Body Strapping Method
An international drug smuggling attempt has been foiled by Makassar Customs and Excise. A man with the initials MA was caught carrying 1,000 grams of methamphetamine hidden by strapping it to both of his thighs upon landing on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Makassar. The illicit goods are estimated to be worth Rp1.2 billion.
The Head of the DJBC Regional Office for Southern Sulawesi, Martha Octavia, revealed that the discovery stemmed from intelligence analysis of passenger risk profiles on international flights. Officers detected irregularities in a passenger on the Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Makassar (UPG) route.
“During a thorough inspection, we found four packages attached to the front and back of the perpetrator’s thighs using a body strapping method. After testing with a Narcotics Identification Kit (NIK), the results were positive for methamphetamine,” Martha explained during a press conference on Tuesday (7/7/2026).
The authorities did not stop with MA’s arrest. Through a controlled delivery method to the intended recipient in Makassar City, officers successfully apprehended two additional suspects, identified as P and MT. The three now face charges under Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
This success was the result of close synergy between Makassar Customs, the DJBC Regional Office for Southern Sulawesi, the South Sulawesi Regional Police, and Immigration at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport. Martha emphasised that cross-agency collaboration is key to breaking the chain of illicit drug distribution.
Martha added that this firm action represents a tangible commitment to supporting the President’s 7th Asta Cita, which is to strengthen the eradication of drugs in order to realise the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045. Makassar Customs is committed to continuously improving human resource capacity and utilising information technology to tighten supervision at the country’s entry points.
“Eradicating narcotics is a shared responsibility. With a spirit of togetherness, we will realise a safe, healthy, and competitive Indonesia,” she concluded.