Malaysian and Dutch Nationals Arrested for Narcotics Smuggling at Balikpapan Airport

The East Kalimantan Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Directorate, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise’s East Kalimantan Regional Office, arrested two foreign nationals: a Malaysian woman identified as S and a Dutch man identified as WF. They were arrested for attempting to smuggle methamphetamine and ecstasy through Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (SAMS) Sepinggan International Airport in Balikpapan. This was disclosed by East Kalimantan Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Director Police Commissioner Romylus Tamtelahitu during a press conference in Balikpapan on Tuesday, 26 May, attended by East Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Pol Endar Priantoro, East Kalimantan Regional Customs Office Head Bagus Nugroho Tamtomo Putro, General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura Balikpapan SAMS Airport Iwan Winaya Mahdar, representatives from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), and other stakeholders. He stated that the case’s resolution was the result of intensive collaboration between the police, Customs, and all relevant stakeholders. ‘The successful resolution of this case stems from effective communication, coordination, and collaboration between East Kalimantan Police, Customs, and all relevant stakeholders,’ he said. He added that the case began with initial information from Customs officers regarding suspicious international drug shipments destined for Balikpapan. ‘Based on this information, Sub-Directorate III of the East Kalimantan Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Directorate, led by AKBP Agus, conducted an investigation alongside Customs officers,’ he said. Subsequently, on Friday, 22 April 2026, officers apprehended a woman identified as S upon her arrival at SAMS Sepinggan International Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ‘The suspect departed from Kuala Lumpur and arrived at Sepinggan Airport around 6:00 AM WITA. Her movements and activities were monitored from the outset, leading to her arrest by the joint team,’ he stated. During the search at SAMS Sepinggan Airport, officers discovered a modified corset worn by the suspect, which contained two large packages of methamphetamine with a gross weight of 1,002 grams, Romylus said. According to the suspect’s confession, she obtained the methamphetamine from a Malaysian contact identified as Y during a face-to-face meeting, he explained. Additionally, during her stay in Balikpapan, suspect S reportedly stayed at a hotel and met with an individual identified as G before her arrest. He added that besides arresting S, police also uncovered a package from Germany containing ecstasy disguised as coffee, deodorant, and other items. ‘The method involved concealing ecstasy within coffee packaging and everyday items to avoid suspicion. However, after inspection, the ecstasy was found hidden inside the coffee packets,’ Romylus said. During the investigation, officers arrested WF, a Dutch national suspected of being the network’s controller. ‘The narcotics package was collected by a woman related to WF, possibly an adopted child, who was instructed to retrieve the shipped package,’ he said. From WF, police seized over 1,000 ecstasy pills with a higher active ingredient content than standard ecstasy, making them 54% more potent and visually distinct. ‘We suspect these drugs were intended for repackaging or further processing,’ Romylus said. Besides ecstasy, police also seized other evidence, including mobile phones, disguising packaging, and equipment suspected to be linked to narcotics trafficking. ‘We are currently investigating the possibility of other international networks involved in the case, including potential locations used for drug processing,’ he added. Although the suspects claimed the drugs were for personal use, authorities remain sceptical and are continuing the investigation due to suspicions of an international network. The two foreign nationals face charges under Indonesia’s Narcotics Law No. 35 of 2009, specifically Articles 114 and 112, which carry penalties of life imprisonment or the death penalty, along with fines of up to billions of rupiah. East Kalimantan Police Chief Endar Priantoro stressed that narcotics trafficking remains a serious threat to society, particularly the youth in East Kalimantan. Therefore, the police are intensifying preventive measures and law enforcement to dismantle the drug trafficking network. Following the discovery of the narcotics case involving two foreign nationals, he suspects an international network operating in Balikpapan. Consequently, authorities will strengthen surveillance on international routes. He stated that these actions are crucial in reinforcing oversight of international distribution routes frequently exploited for smuggling. ‘We have already taken action regarding direct shipments from Kuala Lumpur and Germany to Indonesia. This is a serious concern as international routes are often used for distribution and network coordination,’ Endar stressed. Cross-border shipment surveillance will be strengthened through coordination with relevant parties, including security forces and airport authorities.