3.37 Tons of Cannabis Seized En Route from Thailand to Indonesia, Suspected to be Controlled by Malaysians and Chinese Nationals

The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency has thwarted an international drug trafficking syndicate's attempt to smuggle 3.37 tons of cannabis buds. The drugs originated from Thailand and were imported into Indonesia through official import channels. This is the first time Indonesia has uncovered a case of drug smuggling using seemingly legitimate customs documents.

According to Indonesian media reports, the Director of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency, Suyudi, explained during a press conference on the 2nd that these cannabis buds were hidden in 4 containers, mixed among large quantities of suitcases and latex products in an attempt to evade law enforcement inspections.

Law enforcement officers arrested a total of 12 suspects involved in the international drug trafficking network, including one foreign national. Currently, all suspects are still under investigation as authorities work to trace the larger criminal network behind the case.

Suyudi said: “Preliminary investigations show that this network is suspected to be controlled by a Malaysian citizen with the initials CKF (alias L) and a Chinese citizen with the initials ZI (alias J).”

The National Narcotics Agency stated that this bust demonstrates that international drug syndicates are changing their methods, now using trade and customs channels to smuggle drugs into Indonesia.