INDOPOSCO.ID – Indonesia’s Aceh Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Lhokseumawe Customs, and the National Police Headquarters’ NIC Task Force Team I have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 13 sacks containing approximately 325 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine in Mesjid Meuraksa Village, Blang Mangat District, Lhokseumawe City, Aceh, on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).
According to authorities, the case was uncovered following information sharing and joint analysis conducted by the National Police Headquarters’ NIC Task Force Team I, the Aceh Customs Regional Office, and Lhokseumawe Customs. The analysis indicated an alleged attempt to smuggle narcotics from Thailand to Aceh by sea using a fishing vessel.
Based on the investigation, officers received information that the targeted vessel was expected to dock in the Kuala Meuraksa area of Blang Mangat District between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. local time.
Acting on the information, the joint operation divided personnel into sea and land teams to maximize enforcement efforts.
The maritime team departed aboard Customs Patrol Vessel BC 15031 at 3:00 p.m. local time to patrol the Jambo Aye sector. Meanwhile, the land team conducted surveillance and investigative operations around the suspected landing site.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., the land team received information that the target vessel had docked at the monitored location. About 20 minutes later, officers stopped a black SUV bearing license plate BK 19## ACH, which was allegedly being used to transport narcotics from the landing site.
Aceh Customs Regional Office Head M. Rizki Baidillah said officers discovered 13 sacks containing approximately 325 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine during a search of the vehicle.
“The team also arrested two suspects identified by the initials J, who is suspected of acting as a maritime courier, and Z, who is suspected of serving as a land courier,” he said.
The two suspects and the seized evidence were subsequently taken to the Lhokseumawe Customs Office for administrative processing before being handed over to the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency’s NIC Task Force. Authorities said the joint team is continuing its investigation to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the smuggling operation.
Rizki said the operation resulted from intelligence analysis followed by coordinated enforcement efforts on land and at sea.
“This operational approach enabled comprehensive monitoring from the maritime route to the landing point and subsequent land distribution, allowing officers to secure both the evidence and the suspects,” he said.
Separately, R. Syarif Hidayat, Director of Narcotics Interdiction at Customs and Excise, said the seizure demonstrates effective interagency cooperation in addressing cross-border narcotics trafficking.
“Customs will continue strengthening cooperation, information sharing, and integrated operations with law enforcement agencies to close every possible route for narcotics entering Indonesia,” he said.
Customs reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing joint enforcement efforts with other law enforcement agencies as part of its role as a community protector and to safeguard the public from the threat of illicit narcotics trafficking. (ipo)
