“We secured 19.8 kilograms of methamphetamine that the suspects left in the parking lot of SKA Mall in Pekanbaru on Wednesday (July 16, 2025),” head of the Narcotics Investigation Unit of the Pekanbaru Police, Commissioner Bagus Faria, said at a press conference in Pekanbaru on Tuesday.
The couple’s modus operandi involved leaving their car with the drugs in the mall parking lot early in the morning, before the mall opened.
“Someone else would later pick up the methamphetamine and the abandoned car” in the afternoon, Faria informed.
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The drugs were cleverly disguised in paper wrapping, with “Happy Birthday” written on it. During interrogation, the couple admitted to picking up the methamphetamine in Bagan Siapi-api, Rokan Hilir.
They were promised payment of Rp100 million for the delivery and received an initial down payment of Rp50 million.
Commissioner Faria said that the Pekanbaru Police Narcotics Unit is continuing its investigation to identify the owner of the drugs and their intended destination.
The suspects are facing charges under Article 114 paragraph 2 or 112 paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 13 of the Narcotics Law, which is punishable by death or life imprisonment.
The incident highlights a new drug distribution method involving couples.
During the period from June 11 to June 15, 2025, the Riau Regional Police’s Narcotics and Illegal Drugs Investigation Directorate nabbed another couple for distributing 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Five packages containing methamphetamine were seized from the couple near the Rumbai Lembah Damai Sports Hall in Rumbai Pesisir district, Pekanbaru city. The case also led to the arrest of a female singer.
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Translator: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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