Navy Says Courier Posing as Fisherman Smuggled Drugs from Malaysia

The Indonesian Navy’s Regional Command IV has stated that a suspected drug courier arrested while smuggling methamphetamine and ecstasy from Malaysia into Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, was using the identity of a fisherman. Commander Berkat Widjanarko said the suspect claimed to work as a fisherman and possessed a Malaysian driving licence. The suspect was also using a 40-horsepower fibreglass speedboat, which was seized during the arrest. The case began with the success of the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base in foiling a narcotics smuggling attempt in the waters northeast of Takong Iyu Island, Karimun Regency, on Wednesday, 10 June. Officers arrested a 67-year-old suspect, identified by the initials AK, a resident of Tanjung Balai Karimun. During the inspection, officers found 1,084 grammes of methamphetamine hidden inside a blue cooler box compartment, along with 582 ecstasy pills packaged in clear plastic. Commander Berkat emphasised that the successful operation demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to securing border waters and preventing narcotics from entering Indonesia. Meanwhile, Commander of the Tanjung Balai Karimun Naval Base, Samuel Chrestian Noya, said that based on the suspect’s initial confession, AK had acted as a drug courier twice. The first attempt was in April 2026 and the second in June 2026, before being thwarted. Samuel revealed that AK had previously served a sentence in Malaysia for being an undocumented Indonesian migrant worker. During his detention, the suspect allegedly built connections that later linked him to a transnational drug network. Initial investigations suggest that a Malaysian national, identified by the initial H, ordered the delivery and offered a payment of Rp40 million. In addition to the methamphetamine, officers seized 582 ecstasy pills of the Hellcat brand. Samuel noted that tests showed the pills had a very high content level, almost approaching that of heroin. Karimun Regent Iskandarsyah, who was also present, remarked that the case involving an elderly perpetrator is a matter of shared concern. He said the issue must be viewed not only from a legal perspective but also in terms of social conditions and public welfare. The government is therefore continuing to promote the development of industrial zones in coastal areas and on small islands to provide residents with more livelihood options and prevent them from falling into drug networks. The evidence and the suspect have been handed over to the Karimun District Police for further investigation. Karimun Police Chief Yunita Stevani expressed appreciation for the Navy’s success in foiling the drug smuggling attempt, stating that the handover of the suspect and evidence is part of a joint effort to eradicate illicit drug trafficking.