Ahead of Hari Oeang 2025, Batam Customs foils two major smuggling attempts in a single day.
As Indonesia prepares to commemorate the 79th Hari Oeang, Batam Customs delivered a strong message with two successful enforcement operations—intercepting narcotics trafficked from Malaysia and uncovering a domestic shipment of illegal alcohol disguised as wedding accessories.
Ferry Passenger Hides Drugs in Body
On October 29, 2025, officers at the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal flagged a suspicious passenger arriving from Stulang Laut, Malaysia, aboard MV Citra Legacy 5. Customs’ K-9 unit, led by detection dog Oriel, signaled an alert on a 46-year-old Indonesian man identified as MM. His subsequent urine test confirmed recent drug use, raising red flags.
Attempting to flee during a scheduled X-ray at a local hospital, MM was apprehended in the Simpang Laluan Madani area. Scans revealed ten drug packages concealed inside his body—five containing methamphetamine, four with ecstasy, and one vape liquid suspected to contain etomidate.
Authorities confirmed the drugs originated from Malaysia, and MM was scheduled to deliver the packages to Lombok in exchange for Rp45 million. He has since been handed over to the Riau Islands Police Narcotics Directorate for further investigation.
Saving Lives and Millions
Bea Cukai Batam estimates the seizure prevented narcotics distribution to around 2,375 individuals and saved up to Rp3.8 billion in potential rehabilitation costs. This case adds to Indonesia’s growing list of intercepted international drug trafficking operations targeting domestic markets via sea routes.
MM reportedly received the narcotics from an individual identified only as M, who connected him to a larger drug network controlled by a figure known as Mr. X. He was instructed to stay in Batam for two days awaiting further orders.
Illegal Alcohol Shipment Busted
On the same day, Batam Customs intercepted another illicit consignment—this time, a package from Gunung Sitoli, North Sumatra, mislabeled as “wedding accessories.” The shipment, processed at TPS Global Logistik Bersama, emitted a strong odor and raised suspicions among officers and the private shipping firm.
X-ray screening revealed the package contained 96 bottles of alcoholic beverages lacking legal excise stamps. The items were immediately seized for further investigation.
Customs officials suspect the shipment was intended for illegal distribution in Batam, bypassing tax and safety regulations. The case underscores the continued use of deceptive labeling and courier channels in contraband alcohol smuggling.
Stronger Enforcement in Time for Hari Oeang
Speaking on both cases, Batam Customs Chief Zaky Firmansyah reaffirmed their commitment to securing Indonesia’s borders. “We will not allow any form of smuggling to thrive. Our port and cargo surveillance efforts will only grow stronger,” he stated.
Zaky also called on public vigilance: “Community awareness and cooperation are essential. Reporting suspicious activity can help protect our economy and public safety.”
Looking Forward With Integrity
These back-to-back successes come just ahead of Hari Oeang—a moment that celebrates Indonesia’s financial institutions and their role in upholding national integrity. Batam Customs’ swift actions not only demonstrate operational readiness but reinforce the importance of cross-agency collaboration, advanced surveillance, and civic participation in fighting crime.
The dual crackdowns in Batam highlight Indonesia’s readiness to counter both international and domestic smuggling threats. As the nation commemorates the 79th Hari Oeang, the operations serve as a timely reminder of the critical role Customs plays in national security. These efforts reflect a broader regional interest, especially for Singapore and neighboring maritime hubs, to intensify border vigilance and crack down on transnational criminal networks.
Sources: BatamNews (2025) , Batam Pos (2025)
Keywords: Batam Customs, Narcotics Smuggling, Illegal Alcohol, Drug Trafficking, Hari Oeang 2025, Indonesia Border Control
