Two smugglers attempted to hide meth in clothes at Batam’s port and airport checkpoints
Batam Customs has thwarted two meth smuggling attempts involving over 3 kilograms of narcotics concealed in clothing, apprehending a former convict and a sales agent in separate operations.
The Batam Customs Office (Bea Cukai) intercepted two methamphetamine couriers during separate operations at Batam Center International Ferry Terminal and Hang Nadim International Airport. On April 29 and May 1, 2025, authorities arrested two individuals—AD, a female sales agent, and AY, a male ex-convict—attempting to smuggle a total of 3,079.2 grams of crystal meth by concealed in their clothing and luggage.
The operations were aided by narcotics detection dogs, Julie and Bad, whose presence drew public attention during the case reveal on May 8.
Suspicious Behavior Triggered Customs Inspections
The first arrest occurred when AD arrived from Stulang Laut, Malaysia via MV Citra Legacy 3. Her anxious behavior led officers to inspect her gray suitcase. Inside, 18 plastic packages containing 2,050 grams of meth were found hidden among her clothes.
AD tested positive for drug use and admitted she was a first-time courier, lured by a promised IDR 20 million (≈SGD 1,560) reward from a contact named AW in Surabaya. Authorities confirmed the drugs were intended for delivery to Surabaya for further distribution.
Ex-Convict Offered Higher Pay
Two days later, AY, a 29-year-old ex-inmate from Nias, was intercepted at Hang Nadim Airport while en route to Lombok via Surabaya. Customs officers, noticing his suspicious behavior, conducted a search and discovered 16 packages of meth—weighing a total of 1,029.2 grams—concealed in the folds of his jeans and other clothes.
AY, who had recently been released from Barelang Prison, confessed he was acting on instructions from a fellow former inmate identified as D. He was promised IDR 60 million (≈SGD 4,680) to complete the delivery.
Urine Tests Confirmed Drug Use in Both Cases
Both suspects tested positive for narcotics use. According to Batam Customs Head Zaky Firmansyah, the combined seizure was the result of inter-agency collaboration. The drugs were packaged discreetly to avoid detection, but K9 units and trained customs personnel thwarted the attempts.
“This is a classic modus operandi—new couriers, old networks,” said Zaky, noting the suspects were likely exploited by a syndicate spanning Malaysia and Indonesia.
Legal Consequences and Inter-Agency Handover
Following the arrests, AD was handed over to the Riau Islands Regional Police (Polda Kepri), while AY was transferred to the Riau Islands Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNNP Kepri). Both face charges under Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, which carries maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death sentence.
Customs Enforcement Head Muhtadi stated that the operation likely prevented meth circulation that could have endangered 15,000 lives and saved the state an estimated IDR 25 billion (≈SGD 1.95 million) in rehabilitation costs.
Ongoing Use of Vulnerable Couriers by Drug Syndicates
The case highlights how transnational drug syndicates exploit individuals from economically vulnerable backgrounds and recently released convicts. Though both suspects claimed it was their first time, their recruitment pattern aligns with known syndicate tactics.
The public case reveal—featuring the suspects in orange detainee uniforms alongside the K9 team—served as a visual warning and a testament to intensified enforcement at Batam’s key entry points.
This operation has significantly disrupted the regional meth trafficking network. It serves as a stark reminder of how traffickers target vulnerable individuals and illustrates the effectiveness of collaborative border security efforts. For nearby countries like Singapore, this case reinforces the importance of regional coordination to combat cross-border drug crime.
Sources: Detik (2025), Tribun News (2025)
Keywords: Drug Smuggling, Meth Seizure, Batam Arrests, Customs Operation, Indonesian Narcotics
