Passenger Arrested at Batam Port with Methamphetamine, Ecstasy and Etomidate Vape Cartridge
Customs officers seize drugs strapped to body during K-9 inspection at Batam Center
A passenger arriving on a fast ferry from Malaysia was arrested at Batam Center Port after customs officers discovered methamphetamine, ecstasy pills and a vape cartridge containing etomidate strapped to his body.
K-9 Unit Flags Suspicious Passenger
The arrest took place on the evening of March 1, 2026, at around 7:15 p.m. at Batam Center International Port. Officers from Batam Customs were conducting routine inspections when a K-9 detection dog alerted them to a male passenger identified by the initial S.
The suspect, an Indonesian national arriving on board MV MDM Express 09 from Malaysia, was subjected to further screening using X-ray equipment and a physical search.
Drugs Found Strapped to Body
During the inspection, officers discovered two packages attached to the suspect’s body using a body-strapping method. A urine test later showed that S tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
Laboratory testing confirmed the seizure of 52 grams of methamphetamine, 14 intact ecstasy pills and three crushed ecstasy pills weighing 7.2 grams.
Etomidate Vape Cartridge Seized
In addition to the narcotics, authorities confiscated a vape cartridge containing etomidate with a gross weight of 8.8 grams. Etomidate, a powerful anesthetic, has increasingly been found in illicit vape products.
Customs officials said the combination of drugs posed a serious threat to public health, particularly among young people.
Hundreds of Lives “Saved”
Head of Batam Customs, Agung Widodo, estimated that the seizure potentially saved 318 young individuals from drug abuse.
He added that the prevention effort could result in approximately 508 million rupiah (about US$32,000) in avoided rehabilitation costs.
Facing Severe Legal Consequences
The suspect and all seized evidence have been handed over to investigators at Barelang Police for further legal proceedings.
Under Indonesia’s Narcotics Law No. 35 of 2009, the suspect faces penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty. Authorities said they will continue tightening surveillance at international entry points to combat drug smuggling.
The arrest underscores Batam’s role as a key transit point requiring strict border controls. Customs officials say enhanced inspections and K-9 operations remain critical in preventing narcotics from entering Indonesia.
Sources: Batam News (2026) , Mata Kepri (2026)
Keywords: Batam Port Drug Bust, Body Strapping Smuggling, Ecstasy Seizure Batam, Indonesia Narcotics Law, Polresta Barelang Case