Indonesian Police Intercept 35kg Methamphetamine Worth RM14.16 Million In Cross-Border Operation

JAKARTA, Oct 27 – Indonesian police have confiscated 35 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and arrested five suspects during a series of coordinated operations across Riau and West Sumatra, as authorities investigate international trafficking links connected to a coordinator allegedly based in Malaysia.

Riau Police Narcotics Investigation Director Senior Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira confirmed that the multi-agency operation was initiated following intelligence reports regarding an impending large-scale narcotics shipment entering Indonesia via the coastal waters off Bantan in Riau’s Bengkalis regency.

Authorities apprehended four suspects during separate raids in Bengkalis, Kampar, and Pekanbaru on October 21, 2026, before detaining a fifth suspect in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, on October 23, 2026. The nationalities of the suspects have not been released by Indonesian officials.

“Based on the interrogation, one of the suspects admitted to being directed by a coordinator based in Malaysia,” Putu stated in Pekanbaru on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, according to Indonesian state news agency Antara.

Putu added that Indonesian law enforcement is currently tracking another suspect placed on the official wanted list who allegedly traveled directly to Malaysia to collect the drug shipment.

According to Indonesian local media reports, the confiscated methamphetamine carries an estimated street value of Rp62.9 billion (approximately RM14.16 million).

Investigators believe the illicit cargo was intended for widespread distribution across Riau, North Sumatra, and South Sumatra.

Arrest Timeline, Seizure Valuation, and Cross-Border Syndicate Links

Key details regarding the drug interception and syndicate operations include:

• Entry Point & Maritime Route: The narcotics were smuggled into Indonesia via maritime routes passing through the waters of Bantan in Bengkalis regency, Riau province.
• Sequential Arrest Timeline: Initial raids conducted on October 21 led to four arrests across Bengkalis, Kampar, and Pekanbaru, followed by a fifth arrest in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, on October 23.
• Estimated Market Value: The 35kg crystal methamphetamine shipment is valued at Rp62.9 billion (RM14.16 million).
• Cross-Border Coordination: Interrogations revealed the syndicate operated under the direction of a coordinator based in Malaysia, with an accomplice currently wanted for entering Malaysia to retrieve the narcotics.
• Distribution Destinations: The syndicate targeted major regional distribution hubs including Riau, North Sumatra, and South Sumatra.

–NMT