New Modus Operandi of Drug Lords: 3.37 Tonnes of Marijuana Disguised in Suitcases and Mattresses

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise, together with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 3,371.4 kilogrammes, or approximately 3.37 tonnes, of marijuana flower or buds from Thailand through Tanjung Priok International Port. The perpetrators used a false concealment method, hiding the drugs inside travel suitcases and rolls of latex mattresses to deceive officers. Director General of Customs and Excise, Letjen TNI (Purn.) Djaka Budhi Utama, stated that international drug networks are continuously developing new ways to disguise illegal goods entering Indonesia. The case began on 29 June 2026 when a joint team analysed a container from Thailand declared to contain a shipment of suitcases. Upon inspection at the destination warehouse, officers found aluminium foil and plastic packages hidden inside some of the suitcases. Further analysis identified another shipment from Thailand declared as latex mattresses. The joint team conducted surveillance and a controlled delivery, tracking the goods to the Gresik area. On Wednesday, 1 July 2026, officers secured four trucks, three in Gresik and one in Purwakarta. A total of 3,371.4 kilogrammes of marijuana was discovered, with 1,605 kilogrammes found in the suitcases and 1,766.4 kilogrammes hidden in the mattresses. Authorities are continuing to investigate the international network behind the smuggling. According to official estimates, the seizure potentially saved 10.1 million people from drug abuse and avoided potential state rehabilitation costs of up to Rp4.58 trillion. Djaka Budhi Utama emphasised that Customs will continue to strengthen supervision at all entry points to suppress the circulation of narcotics and other illegal goods.