The Head of Soekarno-Hatta Customs and Excise, Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, in a press conference on Friday, explained that the smuggling of MDMA mixed with cocaine in powder form and etomidate in vape pods was uncovered following an inspection of the goods by officers at the airport.
“This step reflects continuous risk analysis and cross-agency collaboration carried out during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday period,” Aritonang remarked.
He explained that the Chinese national, identified as a courier, was arrested after being found carrying narcotics after arriving in Indonesia on a flight from Techo International Airport, Cambodia (KTI) to Jakarta (CGK) on Friday evening (March 20).
"The passenger is suspected of being a narcotics courier, possessing 1,915 grams of Class I narcotic MDMA, concealed in a suitcase (false concealment) to evade inspection officers," Aritonang said.
Following the discovery, Customs and Excise, in coordination with the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Narcotics Unit, launched further investigations.
On Tuesday (March 24), officers conducted an additional inspection of a package declared as a toy. However, they discovered eight items containing vape pods filled with Class II narcotic etomidate liquid. The package had been falsely declared and was destined for Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
“We collaborated with the Police Narcotics Unit to uncover this case and successfully arrested one individual, identified as JS (Indonesian male, 33), who was the intended recipient of the package,” Aritonang stated.
Meanwhile, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Whisnu Wardana, added that the two perpetrators have been detained. Currently, his team is conducting further investigations into the MDMA.
"With the large amount of evidence, almost 2 kilograms of MDMA, we will conduct further investigations to determine whether the evidence is used as raw material or something similar," he informed.
Authorities are also pursuing another Chinese national, identified as HS, who is suspected of orchestrating the smuggling operation and is currently on the wanted list.
All suspects have been charged under Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment in accordance with Indonesian law.
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Translator: Azmi Syamsul M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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