Batam Customs intercepts drug courier at airport and stops boat loaded with undocumented cargo
In a decisive week of enforcement, Batam Customs thwarted two major smuggling attempts — a methamphetamine courier concealing drugs in his rectum, and a boat transporting hundreds of undocumented parcels.
Drug Courier Caught at Batam Airport
On July 22, 2025, officers from Batam Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle methamphetamine through Hang Nadim International Airport. The suspect, identified by the initials OT, raised suspicion due to his awkward gait and nervous demeanor during an X-ray screening before boarding a flight to Lombok via Surabaya.
A deeper search revealed three meth-filled packets weighing approximately 188.9 grams hidden in OT’s rectum. Tests confirmed the substance as methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth. OT confessed he was acting under orders from a man known as PI, whom he met in a Tanjung Balai Karimun nightclub. PI had promised IDR 5 million (approx. SGD 400) per packet, covering all travel expenses.
Repeated Offenders and Network Ties
Further investigation revealed that OT received the drugs from SH, a repeat narcotics offender, in a hotel located in Lubuk Baja, Batam. The illegal assignment was to deliver the meth to Lombok. All evidence and suspects have been handed over to the Riau Islands Police (Polda Kepri). The interception is estimated to have saved Indonesia up to IDR 1.5 billion (SGD 120,000) in rehabilitation costs.
Night Chase: 266 Parcels Confiscated at Sea
A day prior, on July 21, 2025, Batam Customs received a tip from local residents regarding suspicious maritime activity. At around 9 PM, three patrol boats (BC 15028, BC 15041, and BC 1403) mobilized to intercept the vessel Nasya, which was sailing from Batu Besar, Nongsa toward Tanjung Uban.
By 10 PM, Customs halted the ship, which was manned by two individuals — S (38) and an assistant S (48). Aboard were 266 parcels of undocumented cargo, currently under customs evaluation. The vessel was seized and docked at Tanjung Uncang Customs Pier for further investigation.
Public Participation and Enforcement Appeal
According to Muhtadi, Head of Enforcement and Investigation at Batam Customs, both operations highlight the importance of public vigilance and cross-agency cooperation. He reiterated the call for strict compliance with customs regulations to ensure the protection of national interests and public safety.
“Compliance ensures smooth trade flow and safeguards our domestic industry,” Muhtadi stated. “With public cooperation, we can make enforcement efforts more effective and impactful.”
These back-to-back operations reinforce Batam’s critical role in intercepting regional smuggling networks operating between Indonesia, Singapore, and beyond. As enforcement tightens, the collaboration between authorities and the public becomes increasingly vital in protecting national borders, maintaining economic integrity, and safeguarding communities from the threat of drugs and illegal goods.
Sources: Ungkap.co.id (2025) , Batam News (2025)
Keywords: Meth Smuggling, Batam Customs, Narcotics Bust, Illegal Shipping, Drug Enforcement, Indonesia Crime
